**Upcoming Sacred Live on April 19**

Join Elizabeth Oldfield and Oliver Burkeman on April 19 for a live recording of The Sacred with a time for Q&A. Get your tickets today using the promo code SACREDLIVE2023: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sacred-live-feat-elizabeth-oldfield-and-oliver-burkeman-tickets-565116999157

Kate Bowler is a three-time New York Times bestselling author, and Associate Professor of American Religious History at Duke University. Kate is also the host of the Everything Happens podcast where she talks to people about what they’ve learned in difficult times.

She spoke about tragicomedy, finding purpose during times of suffering and why the prosperity gospel and manifesting are so problematic.

Read the full transcript here: https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/comment/2023/03/08/kate-bowler-on-tragicomedy-and-the-errors-of-manifesting-and-prosperity-gospel

CHAPTERS
(00:00) Introduction
(03:11) What is sacred to you? Kate Bowler’s answer
(08:27) Slick preachers, televangelists and women religious celebrities
(11:49) Childhood, religion as a worldview, and the lovely nosiness of theology
(17:26) Entering academia: dreams, sacrifices, and the horrible truth
(21:19) Gendered misdiagnosis, colon cancer and incredible support
(27:48) Desperate forms of Christianity and the prosperity gospel’s ubiquity
(34:49) The reason for cancer and the life raft of Love
(40:40) A book for letting go and a podcast for fighting loneliness
(47:42) On how to be supportive to someone who is suffering
(53:35) The distortions of social media and how to bowl down the middle
(57:16) The ‘faux secular’ perfect world of #blessed, and genuine blessing
(61:17) Elizabeth Oldfield’s reflection on her conversation with Kate Bowler

*****

The Sacred is a podcast produced by the think tank Theos. Be sure to connect with us below to stay up-to-date with all our content, research and events.

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CHECK OUT OUR PODCASTS

The Sacred: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-sacred/id1326888108
Reading Our Times: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/reading-our-times/id1530952185

Lizzie Damilola Blackburn is a British Nigerian author, and writer of 'Yinka, Where is your Huzband?' a book which explores the experience of a young Nigerian woman living in London and wrestling societal/family expectations of faith, life and love.

She spoke about her experience growing up in a Nigerian, Christian household, the way her faith shapes her writing, and why representation matters in the publishing industry.

Buy a copy of Yinka, Where is your Huzband?' here: https://www.waterstones.com/book/yinka-where-is-your-huzband/lizzie-damilola-blackburn/2928377077259

Get tickets to our Sacred Live event with Oliver Burkeman using the promo code SACREDLIVE2023 here: https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/sacred-live-feat-elizabeth-oldfield-and-oliver-burkeman-tickets-565116999157

CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction
06:20 What is sacred to you? Lizzie Damilola Blackburn’s answer
09:18 Childhood: God’s love and discovering the third sector
11:59 The need for diverse stories and the divine call to become an author
17:18 Handholding readers and reactions to a Christian celibate protagonist
23:33 Colourism and the bias of beauty standards
27:54 Representation in publishing and the public service of rom-coms
35:13 Elizabeth Oldfield’s reflection on her conversation with Lizzie Damilola Blackburn

*****

The Sacred is a podcast produced by the think tank Theos. Be sure to connect with us below to stay up-to-date with all our content, research and events.

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CHECK OUT OUR PODCASTS

The Sacred: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-sacred/id1326888108
Reading Our Times: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/reading-our-times/id1530952185

Katharine Birbalsingh is the founder and headmistress of the Michaela Community School. She is known for promoting ’small-c’ conservative values in the her school, and has subsequently been dubbed Britain’s Strictest Headmistress, which later became the title of an ITV documentary exploring her and her methods.

She spoke about the underlying philosophy of Michaela Community School, her journey from being a ‘lefty’ to now a ‘small-c’ conservative, and the lessons she learnt from her dad’s parenting.

Read the full transcript here: https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/comment/2023/02/22/katharine-birbalsingh-on-smallc-conservatism-and-the-philosophy-of-michaela-community-school

CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction
02:35 What is sacred to you? Tanni Grey Thompson’s answer
08:31 Childhood, privilege and dealing with nosiness
15:23 The surgery and about getting on
19:27 Faith, sport and self-discipline
25:33 Un-selfing in sport
32:13 The medical model and disabled people’s autonomy
41:08 Assisted suicide and proper care
44:24 Woke culture, de-platforming and listening to difference
48:50 Reflection and outro

*****

The Sacred is a podcast produced by the think tank Theos. Be sure to connect with us below to stay up-to-date with all our content, research and events.

CONNECT WITH THE SACRED

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CHECK OUT OUR PODCASTS

The Sacred: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-sacred/id1326888108
Reading Our Times: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/reading-our-times/id1530952185

Baroness Tanni Grey Thompson DBE DL is an 11 time gold-winning Paralympian, and cross-bench peer in the House of Lords. Her highly successful career has seen her become one of Great Britain's most accomplished athletes, to sitting on and chairing various boards, including @_ukactive, to politics, to her active role in politics.

She spoke about the joy of sport and the role it plays in society, her dogged approach to politics, and what has and hasn't changed for disabled people in society.

Read the full transcipt here: https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/comment/2023/02/15/tanni-grey-thompson-on-the-joy-of-sport-and-the-trials-disabled-people-face-in-society

Here are some helpful guidelines to consider when when communicating with or about disabled people: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/inclusive-communication/inclusive-language-words-to-use-and-avoid-when-writing-about-disability

*****

The Sacred is a podcast produced by the think tank Theos. Be sure to connect with us below to stay up-to-date with all our content, research and events.

CONNECT WITH THE SACRED

Twitter: https://twitter.com/sacred_podcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sacred_podcast/

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CHECK OUT OUR PODCASTS

The Sacred: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-sacred/id1326888108
Reading Our Times: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/reading-our-times/id1530952185

Yoram Hazony is a political analyst and writer from Israel. He is the President of the Herzl Institute, Chairman of the Edmund Burke, and author of a number of books, most recent of which is 'Conservatism: A Rediscovery'.

He spoke about Orthodox Judaism and his path to reclaiming it, the fundamental differences between Conservatives and Marxists, and how Nationalism is frequently misunderstood.

Read the full transcript here: https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/comment/2023/02/08/yoram-hazony-on-orthodox-judaism-conservatism-and-the-true-meaning-of-nationalism

You can buy his latest book, Conservatism: A Rediscovery, here: https://www.waterstones.com/book/conservatism/yoram-hazony/9781800752337

CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction
02:00 What is sacred to you? Yoram Hazony’s answer
06:06 Liberal childhood and the Jewish tradition
09:25 Conservative Labour and teenage loyalism
17:02 Spiritual Homecoming
22:55 Conservatism versus Liberalism
29:04 Woke neo-Marxism
37:49 Gratitude in a just conservative society
44:26 The Biblical argument for nationalism
50:10 Different lessons of the Holocaust
55:08 Reflection and outro

*****

The Sacred is a podcast produced by the think tank Theos. Be sure to connect with us below to stay up-to-date with all our content, research and events.

CONNECT WITH THE SACRED

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CHECK OUT OUR PODCASTS

The Sacred: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-sacred/id1326888108
Reading Our Times: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/reading-our-times/id1530952185

Jared Yates Sexton is an American writer and political commentator. Having begun his career writing and teaching fiction, things changed as his investigative journaling in the run up to the 2016 Presidential election plunged him into the world of politics. He is also the host of the Muckrake Podcast.

He spoke about his childhood in a fundamentalist Christian church, the need for 'good brokership' when engaging across the political divide, and why despite the joy they may bring, Marvel movies are still propaganda for the 'old order'.

Read the full transcript here: https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/comment/2023/02/01/jared-yates-sexton-on-escaping-fundamentalism-and-the-mythology-of-marvel-movies

You can buy his latest book, The Midnight Kingdom here:https://www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/673035/the-midnight-kingdom-by-jared-yates-sexton/

CHAPTERS
00:00 Introduction
01:20 What is sacred to you? Jared Yates Sexton’s answer
06:34 Religious childhood trauma and being curious
18:40 The original idea of God
23:38 From fiction writer to political commentator
29:02 Political storytelling and authoritarianism
36:12 The power of the people
46:41 Marvel movies and the mythology of the Old Order
51:40 Reflection and Outro

*****

The Sacred is a podcast produced by the think tank Theos. Be sure to connect with us below to stay up-to-date with all our content, research and events.

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The Sacred: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-sacred/id1326888108
Reading Our Times: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/reading-our-times/id1530952185

Clover Stroud is a journalist and best-selling author of three books, the most recent of which is The Red of my Blood.

She spoke about spoke about her upbringing, grappling with death, and the intertwined relationship between grief, God, creativity and horses.

Read the full transcript here: https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/comment/2023/01/25/clover-stroud-on-grief-god-creativity-and-horses

Purchase The Red of My Blood, here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Red-Blood-Death-Life-Story/dp/0857527738/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=

CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro
01:05 What is sacred to you? Clover Stroud’s response
07:14 Spirituality and horses
12:47 Grappling with grief
16:38 Growing up in the countryside
26:28 Faith is a lot like creativity
37:43 Nick Cave and the transcendent nature of grief
49:32 Sober intoxication of the Catholic Mass
43:49 Reflection and outro

*****

The Sacred is a podcast produced by the think tank Theos. Be sure to connect with us below to stay up-to-date with all our content, research and events.

CONNECT WITH THE SACRED

Twitter: https://twitter.com/sacred_podcast
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sacred_podcast/

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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elizabethsaraholdfield/

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Website: https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/

CHECK OUT OUR PODCASTS

The Sacred: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-sacred/id1326888108
Reading Our Times: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/reading-our-times/id1530952185

Nick Cave is a multi award-winning Australian rock singer-songwriter who over his 40+ year long career has seen the release of countless records, film scores, and writings. Seán O’Hagan is an award-winning journalist for the The Guardian with a speciality in photography.

The two of them spoke about faith and religion, the transformative nature of grief, and the experience of writing their book Faith, Hope and Carnage together.

Read the full transcript here: https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/comment/2023/01/18/nick-cave-and-sen-ohagan-on-grief-faith-and-navigating-disagreement

Buy a copy of Faith, Hope and Carnage here: https://store.nickcave.com/products/faith-hope-and-carnage?variant=39745220706370&gclid=Cj0KCQiAiJSeBhCCARIsAHnAzT825KTMDyylIfsYWZMOeO9Sl2vpBly9Dr69h7ovz3E5CIAFBux6e-oaAtMJEALw_wcB

CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro
02:53 What do you hold sacred? Seán O'Hagan's response.
06:09 Disagreements about faith and religion
11:10 Nick Cave's sacred value
15:32 The transcendent nature of grief
23:54 Faith, Grief, Art and Surrender
27:47 Nick Cave's faith and theology
36:40 The true complexity of faith
40:44 The universal experience of grief
47:31 ‘I/Thou’ moments and pursuing better dialogue
55:50 Forgiveness and the Christian liturgical calendar
01:05:38 Reflection and outro

*****

The Sacred is a podcast produced by the think tank Theos. Be sure to connect with us below to stay up-to-date with all our content, research and events.

CONNECT WITH THE SACRED

Twitter: https://twitter.com/sacred_podcast
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CHECK OUT OUR PODCASTS

The Sacred: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/the-sacred/id1326888108
Reading Our Times: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/reading-our-times/id1530952185

This past series Elizabeth Oldfield spoke to Paul Kingsnorth, Sathnam Sanghera, Zara Mohammed, Sarah Langford, Dante Stewart, Rowan Deacon, Jonathan Pageau, Zing Tsjeng and Prue Leith. This wide range of guests brought with them a variety of sacred values, but also some common themes of thought and reflection.

This episode Elizabeth pulls together all she learnt from these guests, their values, ideas and worldviews, and helps to unpack what lessons we can learn from the series as a whole.

This past series Elizabeth Oldfield spoke to Paul Kingsnorth, Sathnam Sanghera, Zara Mohammed, Sarah Langford, Dante Stewart, Rowan Deacon, Jonathan Pageau, Zing Tsjeng and Prue Leith. This wide range of guests brought with them a variety of sacred values, but also some common themes of thought and reflection.

This episode Elizabeth pulls together all she learnt from these guests, their values, ideas and worldviews, and helps to unpack what lessons we can learn from the series as a whole.

Read the full transcript here: https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/comment/2022/11/30/sacred-reflection-youll-never-change-someones-mind-by-shouting-at-them

Dame Prue Leith, DBE is a South African restaurateur, chef, television presenter/broadcaster, cookery writer, novelist and much more. Today she is widely known for being a judge on Channel 4’s The Great British Bake Off. She is also the mother of Conservative MP, and former guest, Danny Kruger.

She spoke about growing up in South Africa during apartheid, and the importance of tolerance when speaking to those different from ourselves. She also told wonderful stories about family, wrestling with questions of faith as an atheist, and how she got her moxie.

Read the full transcript here: https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/comment/2022/11/16/dame-prue-leith-on-growing-up-during-apartheid-and-the-importance-of-tolerance