Podcast appearances and mentions of madeleine davies

Christian nationalism is a phenomenon we usually associate with the United States. But it's also a driving force behind Vladimir Putin and his war on Ukraine. MARLENE LARUELLE specialises in the fusion of religion and global politics at George Washington University. She writes about Russian Christian nationalism in the Journal of Illiberalism Studies. Why is taking so long to choose a new leader of the world's 80 million Anglicans? It took the Catholic Church about three weeks from the death of Pope Francis to elect his successor, Pope Leo. But it's almost seven months since Justin Welby resigned, in controversial circumstances, as Archbishop of Canterbury. MADELEINE DAVIES of The Church Times in Britain has some answers – and a tip about his replacement.How did a young man go from being a racist teenage thug,  who did gaol time, to one of the world's leading Catholic writers. You can thank that lovable character from the G.K. Chesterton novels, Father Brown. JOSEPH PEARCE became captivated by the gentle, crime-solving priest, turned his life around and became a biographer of Chesterton and J.R.R. Tolkien. He brought his extraordinary story to Australia recently as a guest of Hartford College, a liberal studies school in Sydney.GUESTS:Marlene Laruelle Research Professor and Director of the Institute for European, Russian and Eurasian Studies at the George Washington University. Madeleine Davies journalist at The Church TimesJoseph Pearce is a US based British philosopher and author

Why is it taking so long to choose a new leader of the world's 80 million Anglicans? It took the Catholic Church about three weeks from the death of Pope Francis to elect his successor, Pope Leo. But it's almost seven months since Justin Welby resigned, in controversial circumstances, as Archbishop of Canterbury.MADELEINE DAVIES of The Church Times in Britain has some answers – and a tip about his replacement.

Former International Development Secretary Andrew Mitchell talks to Edward Stourton about the move to dismantle USAID after Vice President JD Vance accused it of 'spreading atheism'.We hear from author Christopher Gasson and his poll of Gen Z and their views on religion which suggests a majority describe themselves as 'fairly spiritual'.Independent safeguarding is the big topic at General Synod this week. Madeleine Davies of the Church Times tells us about the debates already underway about the best way to keep people safe in the C of E.And the public are being asked to give their views on the qualities needed in the next Archbishop of Canterbury. If you have any thoughts let us know - sunday@bbc.co.uk, @BBCR4SUNDAY on social media.

In 2023, the Archbishops of Canterbury and York asked Professor Alexis Jay to develop proposals for a fully independent structure to provide scrutiny of safeguarding in the Church of England. Her report, published the following year, concluded that not only scrutiny, but operational safeguarding, should be independent, necessitating the creation of two separate charities. But while there is widespread demand for action to prevent further failings, opinion on taking up Professor Jay's recommendations remains divided. Next week, members of the General Synod will gather again to discuss the way forward. The task before them is a weighty one, with the debate taking place against a backdrop of widespread horror at the Church's record to date. On Wednesday (5 February), the Church Times hosted a webinar to discuss the right way forward, in response to Professor Jay's recommendations. This podcast features contributions from the panel below. A video of the full webinar, including the panel's discussion and responses to questions, will be available soon. Panel Jane Chevous, co-founder, Survivors Voices Colin Perkins, diocesan safeguarding adviser, diocese of Chichester David Greenwood, Switalskis Solicitors Jim Gamble, INEQE Safeguarding Group Chaired by Madeleine Davies of the Church Times New to us? We are currently offering a £5 digital subscription, giving you full access to our website and archive, for 2 months. This best-ever value subscription offer is available until 14 February, so subscribe now to avoid missing out. https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/subscribe

On the podcast this week, a panel of experts discuss the question: Does the future have a Church? In an increasingly unstable and dark world, will people return to or at least reconsider belief, or are we continuing to hear the ‘melancholy, long, withdrawing roar' of faith? The discussion was recorded in London on 26 November at the 2024 Theos Annual Lecture. The panelists were: Daisy Scalchi, Head of Religion and Ethics, BBC Television Justin Brierley, broadcaster, author, and speaker Madeleine Davies, senior writer for the Church Times Bishop Mike Royal, General Secretary of Churches Together in England Mary Harrington, writer and author of Feminism Against Progress The discussion was chaired by Nick Spencer, Senior Fellow at Theos. The director of Theos, Chine McDonald, introduced and closed the event. https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk Try 10 issues of the Church Times for £10 or get two months access to our website and apps, also for £10. Go to www.churchtimes.co.uk/new-reader

Is the Church experiencing an existential crisis? And what is the role of Christianity in modern Britain? Tom Gatti is joined by Pippa Bailey, David Sexton, and Madeleine Davies. Read: Conclave: this papal power struggle is high entertainment Read: The race for Lambeth Palace Read: The rise of cultural Christianity Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, the editor, Sarah Meyrick, is joined by senior writer Madeleine Davies and news reporter Francis Martin to discuss a momentous and turbulent week for the Church of England: the publication of the Makin review into the abuse carried out by John Smyth, which resulted, five days later, in the Archbishop of Canterbury announcing his resignation. They talk about the findings of the Makin review, the significance of the Archbishop's announcement and what it will mean for safeguarding in the Church, how people are responding in parishes and wider society, and what happens next. The discussion also touches on what the legacy of Archbishop Welby's archiepiscopate might be. Try 10 issues of the Church Times for £10 or get two months access to our website and apps, also for £10. Go to www.churchtimes.co.uk/new-reader Photo credit: Alamy

In this week's conversation between Dr. James Emery White and co-host Alexis Drye, they discuss both the startling rise of cultural Christianity in the West, as well as the incurably churchy desires of our souls. While there is an upward trend in America for people to identify themselves as religiously unaffiliated, they don't actually seem to want to disaffiliate themselves from all things related to religion. In fact, there are many traditions and symbols associated with Christianity that they seem to long for. So what causes this spiritual hunger? Episode Links Dr. White recently blogged about this topic, which is part of what prompted today's conversation. We'd suggest reading “The Rise of Cultural Christianity” and “Surprising Mourners for the Decline of Christianity.” There was also an article written by Madeleine Davies for The New Statesman titled “The rise of cultural Christianity,” which you can find HERE. Dr. White also mentioned the surprising commentary made recently by famed atheist Richard Dawkins stating that he would consider himself to be a cultural Christian. You can watch the LBC video post of Richard Dawkins on X HERE, as well as read the article written by Walter Sánchez Silva titled “Famous Atheist Richard Dawkins Says He Considers Himself a ‘Cultural Christian'.” There was another article Dr. White referenced written by Derek Thompson - who considers himself to be an agnostic - in The Atlantic. You can read “The True Cost of the Churchgoing Bust” HERE. There were a few books that Dr. White noted related to today's conversation: The Clash of Civilizations and the Remaking of World Order by Sam Huntington, Mr. Jones, Meet the Master: Sermons and Prayers of Peter Marshall by Catherine Marshall and How the Irish Saved Civilization by Thomas Cahill. There are a couple past podcasts that you may be interested in checking out related to today's conversation. One is CCP106: On Atheists and Agnostics and the other is CCP9: On Unchurched Christians. The first explores the rise in Americans saying “no” to organized religion and the second focuses on this desire that so many have to find church-like experiences in other settings. There is also an article written by Marc Ramirez in USA Today titled “As Millions Leave Organized Religion, Spiritual and Secular Communities Offer Refuge.” You can read that article HERE. For those of you who are new to Church & Culture, we'd love to invite you to subscribe (for free of course) to the twice-weekly Church & Culture blog and check out the Daily Headline News - a collection of headlines from around the globe each weekday. We'd also love to hear from you if there is a topic that you'd like to see discussed on the Church & Culture Podcast in an upcoming episode. You can find the form to submit your questions at the bottom of the podcast page HERE.

On the podcast this week, Fr Alex Frost — parish priest, best-selling author, and host of The God Cast — talks to Madeleine Davies about the Church of England's problems connecting with people from working-class settings. Fr Alex has written a comment article in this week's Church Times which argues that the C of E needs to remove barriers that make it harder for working-class people to respond to a call to ordination or lay leadership. “I heard examples of intelligent and highly capable individuals from urban working-class settings who had struggled to break through the pomp and procedures of the Church of England,” he writes. “And of individuals dismayed by the Church and its approach to training and developing leaders who happened to drink Vimto more than they did Vin Mariani. . . “I could relate to this. In my own journey to ordination, I had many advocates; but, for every advocate I had, there were dreadfully high hurdles put in front of me to demonstrate whether I might be worthy of fulfilling my authentic and genuine call to ordination.” The Revd Alex Frost is the Vicar of St Matthew the Apostle, Burnley, a member of the General Synod, and host of the podcast The God Cast: https://www.youtube.com/@thegodcast5878 His book, Our Daily Bread: From Argos to the altar — a priest's story is published by Harper North (Books, 11 November 2022). Madeleine Davies is Senior Writer for the Church Times. Try 10 issues of the Church Times for £10 or get two months access to our website and apps, also for £10. Go to churchtimes.co.uk/new-reader

In episode 201 of The Just Checking In Podcast we checked in with journalist and author Madeleine Davies. Madeleine is currently Senior Writer at The Church Times. Madeleine is also the author of the book 'Lights For The Path', which aims to help young adults and teenagers dealing with grief. Madeleine wrote the book out of her own grief she experienced when she lost her mother when she was 12 years old and wanted a resource that would have helped her when she was younger. In this episode we discuss how she got into journalism including being a member of CBBC's Newsround press pack as a child, the role of the church in local communities in supporting people with mental health difficulties, the relationship between prayer and mental health and how many vicars and members of the clergy have suffered with mental health issues themselves. We also discuss how she maintains professional balance as a journalist in her reporting when writing about scandals that hit the Church of England as an institution, particularly issues of child sexual abuse (CSA). We then discuss the themes she discusses in her book and move onto Madeleine's mental health journey where we discuss the grief for her mother in-depth, how it impacted her desire to have children of her own and the power of her own faith in shaping her decisions, her mental health and her outlook on life. As always, #itsokaytovent You can follow Madeleine on social media below: Twitter: https://twitter.com/MadsDavies You can purchase a copy of Lights For The Path here: https://spckpublishing.co.uk/lights-for-the-path Support Us: Patreon: www.patreon.com/venthelpuk GoFundMe: www.gofundme.com/f/help-vent-supp…ir-mental-health Merchandise: www.redbubble.com/people/VentUK/shop Music: @patawawa - Strange: www.youtube.com/watch?v=d70wfeJSEvk

On the podcast this week, the Bishop of Maine, the Rt Revd Thomas James Brown, talks to Madeleine Davies about the American Pulitzer Prize winning novelist Elizabeth Strout – many of whose books are set in the State of Maine, New England. They discuss, among other things, Strout's depiction of the Puritan mindset, the challenges of small-town ministry, and how clergy might respond to the gossip that occurs in their communities. Bishop Brown also considers the comparison often made between Elizabeth Strout and Marilynne Robinson. Madeleine has written a feature on Elizabeth Strout for this week's Church Times (16 December). Try 10 issues of the Church Times for £10 or get two months access to our website and apps, also for £10. Go to churchtimes.co.uk/new-reader

On the podcast this week, a panel convened for a recent Church Times webinar answers two questions: Does the parish need saving? And what frustrates them about the current debate about the future of the parish? Watch the whole webinar — including the panel's responses to viewers' questions — at https://www.churchtimes.co.uk/articles/2021/12-november/audio-video/video/does-the-parish-need-saving The panel: The Bishop of Ramsbury, Dr Andrew Rumsey, author of Parish: An Anglican Theology of Place (SCM, 2017) (Books, 21 July 2017). The diocesan secretary of Bangor, the Revd Siôn Rhys Evans. The Rural Dean of Haverstoe, and Rector of The Waltham Group, in the diocese of Lincoln, the Revd Kimberly Bohan. The Rector of The Ascension, Hulme, the Revd Azariah France-Williams, author of Ghost Ship: Institutional racism and the Church of England (SCM Press) (Podcast, 25 September 2020). Canon Angela Tilby, Canon-of-Honour at Portsmouth Cathedral, member of the Save the Parish network steering committee, and Church Times columnist It is chaired by Madeleine Davies, Senior Writer, Church Times. Music for the podcast is by Twisterium. Try 10 issues of the Church Times for £10 or get two months access to our website and apps, also for £10. Go to churchtimes.co.uk/new-reader.

On the podcast this week, the Revd Stephen Hance, the C of E's Lead on Evangelism and Discipleship, talks to Madeleine Davies about research that he has carried out about how the general public views the Church of England. The research is published in a Seeing Ourselves as Others See Us: Perceptions of the Church of England (MEv135), published by Grove Books at £3.95. Try 10 issues of the Church Times for £10 or get two months access to our website and apps, also for £10. Go to churchtimes.co.uk/new-reader.

On the podcast this week, Madeleine Davies interviews the Archbishop of Canterbury, who has recently returned from sabbatical. They spoke in his study in Lambeth Palace about a range of topics, including: what he did during his sabbatical; his time spent volunteering as a hospital chaplain during the pandemic; the future of the parish (“There is no conspiracy to abolish the parish”); church-plants; clergy morale; and the ministry of the C of E in a secular society. Archbishop Welby says: “I think I would want to say to clergy . . . and to laity: We can only do what God enables us to do, and the rest is his problem. So, if you can't do things, don't be guilty. . . Keep a sane home life, and keep up with your friends, and do what you can, having done that, and spend time with God in prayer. “If that means we end up as a faithful remnant, so be it. But my bet is, if we do go for simpler, humbler, and so on, if we do what God resources us to do, if we don't exhaust ourselves, and if we get rid of guilt — and I am the champion of self-imposed guilt — the Church God will grow.” Read a write up of the interview in this week's Church Times (17 September). Try 10 issues of the Church Times for £10 or get two months access to our website and apps, also for £10. Go to churchtimes.co.uk/new-reader.

This week, we have one of the podcast highlights of 2020: an interview with Madeleine Davies about her book Lights for the Path: a guide through grief, pain, and loss (SPCK). It's available to buy from the Church Times Bookshop. At the end of the interview, Malcolm Guite reads his sonnet “Pilgrimage”. Read an extract from the Lights for the Path on the Church Times website. In a review of the book on the Living Church website, the Revd Todd Fitzgerald writes that “the most valuable elements of Lights for the Path are the author's robust theological analysis and extraordinary pastoral sensitivity. At a time when more people lack any belief structure or regular practices with which to navigate life's ups and downs, Davies's contribution to literature for teenagers navigating grief is sorely needed. “Without being preachy or dogmatic, Davies invites teens to situate their tragic experience, with all their questions and emotions and confusion, in the midst of the Christian story.”

This week, Ed Thornton talks to Madeleine Davies about her new book, Lights for the Path: A guide through grief, pain and loss, published today (21 May) by SPCK. It's available to order from the Church Times Bookshop for the special price £8, and an extract is published in this week's Church Times. “Lights for the Path is part memoir and part theological reflection on the theme of death,” the Head of Theology at Youthscape, Dr Phoebe Hill, says. “Skilfully woven together and littered with literary references, Davies offers a gracious acknowledgement and comfort for the whole range of emotions a young person experiencing a death will encounter. “Sharing her own story of losing her mum as a teenager, and the stories of others, this book is a window into the deeper questions of life: what happens when we die? Why would God allow this? Davies gives no trite answers; this honest account exposes the simplistic answers for what they are, and creates a safe space to air your true thoughts, your true feelings and your true questions for God.” The Vicar of St Martin-in-the-Fields, the Revd Dr Sam Wells, says: “If it can't be happy, make it beautiful. Madeleine Davies offers us this exquisite gift, born from her own grief, her compassionate heart, and her listening soul. “With elegant simplicity she attends to the fear, fury and fragility of loss, bringing forth wisdom, gentleness and insight in equal measure. Above all she gives us humility and patience, as she lets people tell their own stories and leaves unresolved what no comfort can easily heal. Anyone who faces the agony of loss could wish for no finer companion.” Madeleine Davies is the features editor and deputy news editor of the Church Times. This is her first book. (Church Times Bookshop special price £8; CH Bookshop: 0845 017 6965). At the end of the interview, Malcolm Guite reads his sonnet “Pilgrimage”. Podcast edited by Serena Long. Get the Church Times delivered for 10 weeks for just £10: www.churchtimes.co.uk/10-weeks

This week, Ed Thornton catches up with Madeleine Davies and Adam Becket, who have just returned from the press gallery at the General Synod, which has been meeting in Church House, Westminster. They tell us what some of the stand-out debates have been, including the surprise commitment to setting a 2030 target for net zero carbon emissions; repentance for the racism expressed to the Windrush generation; and the latest on the Living in Love and Faith project. Picture: The Revd Andrew Moughtin-Mumby (Southwark) speaks on his private member's motion which called for the Synod to “lament, on behalf of Christ's Church, the conscious and unconscious racism experienced by countless BAME Anglicans in 1948 and subsequent years” Credit: Geoff Crawford/Church Times Listeners might be interested to hear about the Church Times Festival of Faith and Literature, which takes place at Bloxham School, Oxfordshire, on Friday 21 February and Saturday 22 February. For a full programme and to buy tickets, visit bloxhamfaithandliterature.hymnsam.co.uk If you don't yet subscribe to the Church Times, check out our new reader offer: 10 issues for £10: www.churchtimes.co.uk/new-reader

This week, Madeleine Davies talks through the pastoral statement on civil partnerships by the House of Bishops, and the strong criticism that it provoked — including among the Bishops. Read the latest on this story at www.churchtimes.co.uk

Right before news breaks that Victoria Gunvalson has retired the orange Bravo took away from her prior to Season 14, Sarah records an episode of Andy's Girls that will live in infamy: what did she say about Vicki's future before Vicki's announcement went live? This Coto crystal ball tells all: Sarah and culture writer and editor Madeleine Davies discuss why Tamra's future is tied to Vicki's past, what Caroline's Super Bowl ad means for a potential return to Franklin Lakes, and the shocking allegations about Nene's rumored 'secret.' The Whoop It Up train may have left the station, but this episode is nobody's caboose - it's Andy's Girls, Episode 143!

Culture writer and editor Madeleine Davies joins B to discuss Kelsey Grammer, Buffy, the ponytail pull on The Real Housewives of New Jersey and the rampant racism on The Real Housewives of Dallas.

On this week's podcast, Madeleine Davies moderates a discussion between Andy Root and Nick Shepherd about faith and doubt in a secular age. In a wide-ranging discussion, they talk about issues such as attendance stats, the lack of children and young people in churches, what to make of religious experience, and how to minister in a secular age. Dr Andy Root is Pro­fessor of Youth and Family Ministry at Luther Seminary, and the author of Faith Formation in a Secular Age, published by Baker at £13.99 (Church Times Bookshop £12.60). Dr Nick Shep­herd, the director of Setting God's People Free, the Renewal and Reform pro­gramme that explores how the Church “helps the whole people of God serve God's mission in God's world”. If you don't yet subscribe to the Church Times, check out our new reader offer: 10 issues for £10: www.churchtimes.co.uk/new-reader

The next Archbishop of York is to be the Rt Revd Stephen Cottrell, at present Bishop of Chelmsford, Downing Street announced on Tuesday. Bishop Cottrell spoke at a press conference at Church House on Tuesday morning and took questions from journalists, including the Church Times's Madeleine Davies. This special edition of the podcast features highlights from that press conference. If you don't yet subscribe to the Church Times, check out our new reader offer: 10 issues for £10: www.churchtimes.co.uk/new-reader

The Strategic Development Fund has so far allocated £136m of Church Commissioners money to projects that it is hoped will reverse the pattern of decline in church attendance. In a two-part series, Madeleine Davies has been tracking down what the money has been spent on and has asked how this corresponds with the church's hopes. On the podcast this week, Madeleine talks to Ed Thornton about what she has discovered. f you don't yet subscribe to the Church Times, check out our new reader offer: 10 issues for £10: www.churchtimes.co.uk/new-reader

This week, Madeleine Davies interviews Rachel Mann about her new book In the Bleak Midwinter: Advent and Christmas with Christina Rossetti. It is among a crop of books for advent reviewed in this Friday's Church Times (25 October). In the Bleak Midwinter is published by Canterbury Press at £12.99 (Church Times Bookshop £11.70).

In this special Halloween crossover episode, Slayerfest 98 host Ian Carlos Crawford and host of The Lost Episode Ryan Houlihan discuss how certain horror movies would've gone if they took place in Sunnydale. They cover Aliens with Chilling Adventures of Sabrina writer Joshua Conkel, Scream with YA author Adam Sass, The Craft with author Meg Elison, Cabin in the Woods with writer Madeleine Davies, and The Exorcist with Buffy writer Jane Espenson. Don't forget to like Slayerfest 98 on Facebook(www.facebook.com/Slayerfestx98/), follow us on Twitter(twitter.com/slayerfestx98), subscribe/rate us on iTunes, and visit our patreon (www.patreon.com/slayerfest98)! New episodes come out every other Tuesday (the same day Buffy aired), so see you all back here next time!

As the year 2000 beckoned, the Church of England decided that it would mark the Millennium by distributing thousands of yew trees across England. Every parish that requested one would get one. Twenty years after the distribution of 700 ‘Millennium Yews', efforts are under way to track their upward progress. Ed Thornton talks to Madeleine Davies about the story, which you can also read about in this week's paper. Plus, the Statistics for Mission 2018 report has just been published. Madeleine tells us what's in it - including new statistics about enquiry and “Christian basics” courses, and youth work.

This week, Madeleine Davies talks to Dr James K. A. Smith about his new book On the Road with St Augustine, published by Baker Publishing at £11.99 (Church Times Bookshop £10). It offers the reader “an invitation to journey with an ancient African who will surprise you by the extent to which he knows you”. Smith's contends that Augustine can make Christianity “plausible again for those who've been burned”. James K. A. Smith is Professor of Philosophy at Calvin University in Grand Rapids, Michigan. His previous books include You are what you love: the spiritual power of habit and How (not) to be secular: reading Charles Taylor.

Last month, Oxford University was given £150m by a US billionaire, Stephen A. Schwarzman, to study the ethical implications of Artificial Intelligence. In the announcement, he warned that technology left unaffected would “trample over certain aspects of human behaviour and human opportunities”, before setting out the potential to “reaffirm western values” and “help the world adjust to changing times.” Which raises the question: whose values exactly would we be reaffirming? We commissioned this week's Artificial Intelligence special to explore this question, and others surrounding ethics and AI. In particular, we asked four writers to reflect on what the Bishop of Oxford has suggested is the deep question of our age: “What does it mean to be a human?” We also feature an extract from a new book by Tom Chivers, who spent months with some of those who have long worried about the existential threat posed by AI. In this podcast, Madeleine Davies talks to him about how worried we should be. Tom's book, The AI Does Not Hate You: Superintelligence, rationality and the race to save the world, is published by Weidenfeld & Nicolson at £16.99 (CT Bookshop £15.30).

It's time for the Church to start talking about race, says Ben Lindsay, a Pastor at Emmanuel Church, in south London and CEO and founder of Power the Fight, a charity that empowers communities to end youth violence. From the UK Church's complicity in the transatlantic slave trade to the whitewashing of Christianity throughout history, the Church has a lot to answer for when it comes to race relations, he says. His book, We Need to Talk About Race, is published on 18 July by SPCK. The Archbishop of Canterbury says that it is “a must-read for the UK Church”. Ben Lindsay will be speaking about the book at a free event at St Paul's Cathedral on 29 October. Madeleine Davies interviewed Ben Lindsay about the book in a café in south London.

“I am large, I contain multitudes”. So wrote Walt Whitman in his 1855 masterpice Song of Myself. The American poet's 200th birthday is on Friday (31 May). In this week's Church Times, Dr Michael Robertson, author of Worshipping Whalt: The Whitman disciples (Princeton Press), argues that while Whitman has been celebrated as a poet of democracy and of nature, among other things, his religious purpose is under-appreciated. On this week's podcast, Dr Robertson speaks to Madeleine Davies about Whitman's life, his literary and religious influences, and reads for us some of his remarkable poetry. Picture credit: Alamy

This week, Madeleine Davies talks to Vicky Walker about her new book Relatable: Exploring God, Love and Connection in the Age of Choice. Picture credit: Dipesh Dhimar

The Church of England has been talking a lot about estates ministry of late. Madeleine Davies has visited the Byker Wall Estate in Newcastle, where a church is thinking imaginatively about mission. She tells us about it. And we hear from three of the 21 4 21 young interfaith ambassadors about peacemaking and bridge-building. Photo credit: North News and Pictures

This week, Madeleine Davies interviews Pete Greig, the “bewildered instigator” of the 24-7 prayer movement. He is also closely involved with the Archbishop of Canterbury's Thy Kingdom Come prayer initiative. Pete is a pastor and the author of books including God on Mute and Dirty Glory. His latest book is called How to Pray: a simple guide for normal people, which is published by Hodder. It's available at the Church Times Bookshop for the special price of £12.60 – go to chbookshop.co.uk.

This week, Madeleine Davies talks to Rupert Shortt about his new book, Does Religion do more harm than good?, published by SPCK. We publish an extract in this week's paper and John Saxbee reviews it in our books pages. The book is available from the Church Times Bookshop for £9 – go to chbookshop.co.uk. Rupert Shortt is Religion Editor of The Times Literary Supplement and the author of critically acclaimed books including God is No Thing, Christianaphobia, and Rowan's Rule: the biography of the Archbishop. You can also listen to the Church Times Podcast on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify, and most other podcast platforms.

Adam Becket brings us the latest on Brexit - and how the C of E hopes that "tea and prayer drop-ins" next weekend will foster reconciliation among Leavers and Remainers. Madeleine Davies tells us about the first HTB-supported resource church in the Church in Wales - which is facing some opposition. And the editor Paul Handley talks about the Train-a-Priest Fund, which helps ordinands who face financial hardship.

Transforming the one million who regularly attend Church of England services into “agents of mission” is crucial to the Church's multi-million-pound evangelism push, the General Synod will hear next week. Ed Thornton talks to Madeleine Davies about the drive to give the laity confidence to evangelise - and whether English reticence stops them from doing so. Plus, Adam Becket catches up with the Chaplain to the Speaker of the House of Commons, Prebendary Rose Hudson-Wilkin, at the C of E's National Education Conference. He asks her about Crispin Blunt MP's call for prayers in parliament to be scrapped.

This week, the education secretary Damian Hinds talks to Hattie Williams about why he would like more faith schools to convert to academies. The Bishop of Gloucester, Rachel Treweek, talks to Adam Becket about how churches must not ignore the realities of domestic abuse. And the Bishop of Liverpool, Paul Bayes, talks to Madeleine Davies about his new book, The Table.

The WtC crew takes the show to the Brooklyn Academy of Music to talk about Chicago's four-disc live album, which was taped over a week of show at Carnegie Hall in 1971. Corban Goble and Maddie Davies join the gang to talk acoustics, jamming, Andrew Lloyd Webber, and everything Pank. The gang also takes a call from first-wave Chicago fan Gene Caprioglio about his experiences seeing Chicago live in NYC the 1970s with Bruce Springsteen opening.

On this week's podcast, Madeleine Davies speaks exclusively to Archbishop Justin Welby, in Blakeney, Norfolk, his childhood escape. The Archbishop speaks candidly, among other things, about why he draws on his difficult family history in his public ministry; whether he would have liked to have been an MP; and why he loves to mess around on boats. Subscribe to the Church Times Podcast on iTunes.

This week, freelance journalist Andy Walton joins us to talk about his recent visit to the diocese of Ely, which has ambitious plans to increase churchgoing. Andy visited a new church-plant in Huntingdon and spoke to people in the diocese about the plans. Plus, Madeleine Davies reports back on her recent visit to Norfolk with the Archbishop of Canterbury.

Where are all the young people? Across the country, the average C of E church has just three children attending, and the smallest 25 per cent have none at all. At the Christian Resources Exhibition last month, the Church Times Live event brought together a panel of youth workers to talk about this: Ali Campbell, who runs the Resource youthwork consultancy; Savannah John-Leighton, Youth Leader at St John's, Hoxton in London; and Polly Baker, who works as a youthworker on an estate. The session was chaired by Madeleine Davies. You can subscribe to the podcast on iTunes

For this week's environmental issue, timed to coincide with the report by Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, we appointed a guest editor: Richard Black, a former BBC environment correspondent, and director of the Energy and Climate Intelligence Unit. With his help, we have assembled an impressive group of commentators to reflect on the threat to the planet posed by global warming. Among them are Christiana Figueres, who was the head of the UN's climate body at the time of the Paris Agreement, Emily Shuckburgh, a climate scientist specialising in the Arctic, Nick Holtam, the C of E's lead bishop on the environment, and Loretta Minghella, the First Church Estates Commissioner. Paul Handley and Madeleine Davies spoke to Richard Black about the challenge of climate change. You can subscribe to the Church Times Podcast on iTunes

This week, the Church Commissioners have defended their multi-million-pound stake in Amazon after the online company was heavily criticised by the Archbishop of Canterbury in his speech to the Trade Union Congress this week for “paying almost nothing in tax”. Madeleine Davies tells us how she broke the story. Plus, we look at our new month-long feature series on the religious life: from centuries-old monasteries to dispersed communities and new monastics. Read these, and all our stories on the Church Times website. If you are not yet a subscriber to the Church Times, you can try your first ten issues for just £10. Visit churchtimes.co.uk/subscribe You can also subscribe to this podcast on iTunes.

Born in Latakia, a port city in Syria, Fr Nadim Nassar is the first Syrian priest in the Church of England, and director of the Awareness Foundation. This week, Madeleine Davies caught up with him about his first book, The Culture of God: the Syrian Jesus - Reading the Divine Mind, Sailing into the Divine Heart, published by Hodder. He talked about growing up in the region where Christ was born, how his faith was shaped by living through four wars, and bringing passion and emotion to ministry. The book is available from the Church Times Bookshop for the special offer price of £13.49.

On this week's podcast, Dr Josiah Idowu-Fearon, the first African Secretary General of the Anglican Communion, talks to Madeleine Davies. The interview is also written up in this week's issue, which is out now.

This week, Madeleine Davies and Ed Thornton talk about the latest wave of church plants from Holy Trinity, Brompton. What's the strategy? They also discuss the ethical questions a senior cleric has been asking about the Church House Conference Centre hosting the annual Land Warfare Conference. And Ed talks to the Revd Peter Crumpler about why democracy needs local newspapers, and how churches can help them to survive. If you don't subscribe to the Church Times, go to churchtimes.co.uk/subscribe, where you can get 10 issues for £10. You can also subscribe to the Church Times Podcast on iTunes. Enjoying the podcast? Please rate and review us on iTunes – it helps people to find us.

This week, our reporters Madeleine Davies, Hattie Williams, and Adam Becket discuss the key debates and highlights from the General Synod in York, which finished on Tuesday. Plus, a survivor of clerical abuse, Gilo, tells us about a Synod fringe meeting on safeguarding, last Friday evening, and gives his thoughts on the debate on the House of Bishops report, which took place the next day. In this podcast, Gilo is joined by Martin Sewell, a retired child protection lawyer who represents the diocese of Rochester on the General Synod.

For this week's podcast, Madeleine Davies spoke to Vicky Beeching, who was given an award last year by the Archbishop of Canterbury for her outstanding contribution to contemporary worship music. Her new memoir, Undivided, tells her story of coming out, becoming whole, and living free from shame. You can read the interview in this week's Church Times.

This week, Madeleine Davies fills us in on the Archbishop of Canterbury's speech on Europe - a story the Church Times broke on Tuesday that has provoked outcry among Brexiteers. Plus, the Bishop of Derby, Alister Redfern, talks to Hattie Williams about the C of E's a new app to help people spot signs of slavery at car washes. And, an extract from a fascinating conversation between the former President of South Africa, F.W. de Klerk, and Lord Finkelstein, recorded at the 75th anniversary dinner of the Council of Christians and Jews. You can subscribe to the Church Times Podcast on iTunes.

This week, the Bishop of Burnley, Philip North, tells us why it is time richer dioceses shared their wealth with poorer ones; Madeleine Davies fills us in on the story of whether priests in Canterbury are being advised to betray the Seal of the Confessional; and Adam Becket goes to an interfaith Iftar meal in St John's Wood Synagogue in London, where he speaks to the Mayor of London Sadiq Khan

This month sees the publication of Phoebe, Dr Paula Gooder's first foray into fiction. The story of the Deacon and Patron mentioned in Paul's letter to the Romans, it invites us into the world of first-century Christianity, in some respects, not so different to our own. In an interview with Madeleine Davies, Dr Gooder talked about the power of the imagination, women pursuing their calling then and today, and whether, as a Church, we've got any better at arguing with each other. The interview is published in this week's Church Times. Don't forget that you can get 10 issues of Church Times for just £10. Go to churchtimes.co.uk/subscribe You can also subscribe to the Church Times Podcast on iTunes.

On this week's podcast, we talk about the moving and powerful diaries of RAF Chaplain, the Revd Guy Mayfield, who ministered to Battle of Britain Fighter Pilots. Plus, Madeleine Davies unpacks Pope Francis's latest Apostolic Exhortation, Gaudete et Exsultate (“Rejoice and be Glad”) which combines a celebration of ordinary acts of service with calls to radical action. And we give a flavour of what else is in the paper this week.

Our friend, venerable Potter scholar, and senior Jezebel writer Madeleine Davies joins us again for another stacked ep! Is Ron the loose cannon cop with nothing left to lose that Hogwarts needs? Is Luna Lovegood’s dad actually Elvis in hiding?? Is Professor Umbridge an amalgam of all the scariest Twilight Zone episodes??? Tune in!

Celebrities are good at many things (sponcon, achieving the effortless beach waves etc.), but is making decent, drinkable wine one of them? Joined by our friends Matt Harkins and Viviana Olen of the Tonya Harding Nancy Kerrigan 1994 Museum, we debate whether Dave Matthews’ Dreaming Tree is good for a BBQ, if Madeleine Davies is a secret wine expert, and the THNK 1994 Museum’s latest exhibit. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's podcast, Madeleine Davies talks to Tim Thorlby of the Centre for Community and Theology about a new report on Anglo-Catholic churches that are growing. Madeleine also talks about her visit to one of the most affluent parishes in the country, and how it compared to her visit to the most deprived. Plus, editor Paul Handley remembers Bernard Palmer, former editor and proprietor of the Church Times, who died this week.

On this week's podcast, Madeleine Davies reports back on her visit to the C of E's most deprived parish, in Blackpool, and how the Church is bringing hope. Madeleine and Ed talk about what else is in this week's paper, including the royal engagement. Plus, Canon Angus Ritchie, our new Sunday's Readings columnist, talks to editor Paul Handley about preaching and whether the sermon has a future.

Reporters Anna Merlan and Madeleine Davies were investigating and writing about Louis CK well before the New York Times story came out. And they faced a lot of criticism for it.  They join Jesse to talk about the line between rumour and news, and whether standards have changed around reporting on sexual misconduct in the post-Weinstein world. Madeleine Davies is a senior writer for Jezebel. Anna Merlan is a senior reporter at Gizmodo Media's Special Projects Desk. Support CANADALAND: http://canadalandshow.com/join See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Ed Thornton and Madeleine Davies talk about why churches might be unwise to ditch children's choirs, given they seem to be one of the best ways of attracting children - and their families - to church. Madeleine reports on a significant new book which calls on Christians to stop "hand-wringing and despairing" about the welfare state. And we look at what else is in this week's paper - including Paddington Bear at St Paul's Cathedral.

This week Madeleine Davies tells us what US Christians really think about Donald Trump one year after his election as president; and we discuss the funding crisis faced by theological colleges. Plus, Ed Thornton speaks to the Revd Dr Philip Lockley about how theological colleges can promote good disagreement.

Caution! Gossip Ahead! Jezebel senior writer and DirtCast podcast host Madeleine Davies joins Emily and Callie to talk tabloids, feminism, and the Hollywood rumor mill.

This week, Madeleine Davies and Ed Thornton talk about the latest Statics for Mission which show the average C of E church has just three children attending. And they ask whether social media can help stem the decline in church attendance. Plus, Ed Thornton speaks to Mike McGargue, aka "Science Mike" about his new book, Finding God in the Waves, which tells the story of his dramatic loss of faith, and how he found it again through studying science.

This week Madeleine Davies reports back from the Primates' Meeting in Canterbury, and we discuss how religious leaders have responded to the mass shooting in Las Vegas. Plus, Church Times columnist Paul Vallely take us through the highs and lows of the Conservative Party Conference in Manchester

We’re joined by our friend, Dungeons & Dragons squadmate, and senior Jezebel editor Madeleine Davies in this two-part episode! We touch on her history with the books, the world of HP fan fiction as it first developed, and solid evidence of some bad Gryffindors.

Join us for part two of our chat with Maddie. We’ll get into the Marauders of old, Snape’s whole deal, and most importantly: is Ron… actually lame???

This is a recast of DirtCast's 13th episode where Madeleine Davies and Bobby Finger are joined by Jezebel staff writer Stassa Edwards to discuss her lengthy research into the long-running and largely unscientific obsession Gwyneth Paltrow and her lifestyle brand, Goop, have with the nebulous concept of “wellness.” Edwards talks about Paltrow’s favorite “experts” (you know, the ones who tell you to walk barefoot and that airplanes give you cancer), the romanticization of Eastern medicine, and why you should probably never stick a jade egg up your vagina. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this week's podcast, we talk about how churches have been responding to the Grenfell Tower fire, what people are looking for in the next Bishop of London. Plus, the Revd Rachel Mann talks to Madeleine Davies about her new book, Fierce Imaginings: the Great War, ritual, memory and God.

Jezebel's Bobby Finger and Madeleine Davies introduce their new podcast DirtCast, in which each week they'll dissect the latest celebrity gossip with an analytical (but STILL FUN) eye. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This week, we read and discuss Stephen King's classic wintery psychological thriller The Shining. Then inspired by the setting and isolation of The Shining, we talk about our favorite books about isolation.And as always we, close the show with recommendations. MJ finished reading and recommends The Female of The Species by Mindy McGinnis. He also recommends 'Becoming Ugly,' an essay by Madeleine Davies published in Jezebel. "There is a theme of women fighting back in what I read this week that I very much appreciated and I think is so important in this world we live in right now of speaking out, fighting back, and not accepting the violence done unto you." Aliza recommends Ella Enchanted by Gail Carson Levine. "Someone posted a listicle online this week that I really loved and made me nostalgic about how the book Ella Enchanted taught them how to be a feminist. So I am going to recommend Ella Enchanted." Peter recommends Gilmore Girls. "I've taken a detour; I've driven and decided to stay in Stars Hallow...I'm pretty late to this party but it's wonderful."

Happy New Year! In The Pearls, we discuss the Trump administration, the UN resolution on Israeli settlements, and tragic events around the world. We also compliment the other party before launching into a discussion of what it means to be a woman in the Trump era and what "resistance" means. We particularly dive into Madeleine Davies's piece, Becoming Ugly. In The Heels, we share our one-word focal points for 2017 and ask for your thoughts on a 2017 Pantsuit Politics word. See acast.com/privacy for privacy and opt-out information.