The William Temple Foundation Podcast has been in existence since 2019. Each series has been focussed on different themes and different ideas that are shaping the public space. Our podcast is curated by different members of our Fellowship. Our new series, the Radical Hope Podcast, is being curated in partnership with Virginia Theological Seminary in the USA and prepares the ground for a Communication conference at the Inner Temple in London in April 2025 exploring the role of Faith in the Public Sqaure. You can listen here, on our page at anchor.fm, or subscribe via Apple, Spotify or Google.
Series 6: The Radical Hope Podcast
In this series we explore the contours of communications faith based organisations and dialogue in the public square. We will draw on stories and experiences from both sides of the Atlantic and consider what these might mean for people and institutions who are seeking to contribute to public life in the UK, US and around the world. This podcast is hosted by Dr Matthew Barber-Rowell, Communications Officer and Research Fellow for the William Temple Foundation, and a Dean’s Scholar at Virginia Theological Seminary and Vice President for Communications at VTS and the General Theological Seminary in New York, Nicky Burridge.
In Episode 1, we discuss the significance of Stories for shaping the public square. We draw on the proheptic narrative offered by Dr Lance Wallnau of Donald Trump as ‘God’s Chaos Candiadate’ before he was subsequently elected as President of the United States. We also reflected on the new narrative being offered by Virginia Theological Seminary of hope in response to the re-election of Trump in November 2024.
In Episode 2 we welcomed Canon Professor Martyn Percy to the Podcast who explored with us themes including digital public spaces, the inadequacies of the Church of England investigative processes, the recovery of the reputation of Bishop George Bell, and the ingredients for a hopeful future of the church in public life.
Series 5: Ethical Robots Podcast
This one of Podcast Special is focussed on the topic of Ethical Robots, catalysed by the paradigm shift that is taking place in Artificial Intelligence. This episode was recorded in February 2024 and was recorded in part in the memory of Rev Dr John Reader who was a longstanding friend and fellow of William Temple Foundation. Listen for free here:
The Archive, including Series 1 to 4 exploring Deep Time and the theme of ‘Staying with the Trouble’
Series 4: Deep Time
Series 1-3: Staying With the Trouble
Canon Kathryn Fitzsimons, Anglican priest of two parishes in highly contrasting areas of Leeds, reflects on some of the costs to challenging poverty and inequality in the city, and engaging with power structures to bring meaningful change.
Jamie Jones Buchanan, interim Head Coach of Leeds Rhinos Rugby League club, reflects on how sport can transform lives and outlooks for those facing their troubles, and the vital role of local sports clubs as beacons of hope and inclusivity.
Rev Dr Carol Tomlin reflects on her Leeds childhood as part of the Windrush generation, and how her role as both an academic educator and a Pentecostal minister allows her to address racial injustice across society, academia and the church.
Simon Phillips discusses his work as an interfaith leader and community engagement officer with Leeds Jewish Housing Association as both the Jewish community and wider city seek to develop compassion in the context of racial and economic injustice.
Mary Brennan talks about her work as a Leeds Poverty Truth Commissioner and the impacts poverty has on peoples’ lives and wellbeing in her local neighbourhood of Cross Green.
Tom Riordan, Chief Executive of Leeds City Council discusses how his childhood experiences have shaped his values and leadership approach in the face of the challenges and opportunities facing Leeds and the North of England.
Andrew Grinnell, co-director of the Poverty Truth Commission Network, describes the gifts and the wounds he has encountered whilst living alongside those experiencing poverty.
Mark Tan, intensive care doctor in Manchester, explains how understanding medicine as an act of faith helps deal with the uncertainty of a global pandemic. (Apologies for the poor sound quality on parts of this recording.)
Anderson Jeremiah discusses how being a Dalit has shaped his theology, and his work on the Archbishops’ anti-racism taskforce.
Maria Power describes her own experience of The Troubles in Northern Ireland and explains how it has had an important influence on her academic work on peacebuilding.
Andrew Graystone, writer and theologian, reflects on his work of accompanying those who have survived sexual abuse within the church.
Katharine Hayhoe, atmospheric scientist, recounts some of the troubles she has faced when talking about climate change with evangelical Christians and political conservatives.
Anna Rowlands is St Hilda Associate Professor of Catholic Social Thought and Practice at Durham University and author of the report “For Our Welfare and Not for our harm” for the Jesuit Refugee Service. Here, she indicates troubles associated with forced migration and asylum-seeking.
Irene Tuffrey-Wijne, Professor of Intellectual Disability and Palliative Care at Kingston University and a longstanding member of the L’Arche community, reflects on troubles of trust, grief and COVID-19.
Azariah France-Williams, an Anglican priest working for the ecumenical HeartEdge initiative in Manchester, explores the trouble of institutional racism and the Church of England. His book Ghost Ship was published earlier this year.
Tobias Cremer discusses the troubling relationship between religion and the new wave of national populist movements.
Hannah Malcolm explains the trouble of climate grief and how she wrestles with ecological collapse as an eco-theologian and activist. Her new book Words for a Dying World is out later this year.
Jarel Robinson-Brown describes the troubles he’s faced as an academic researching the African origins of Christianity and as a Christian member of the LGBTQ community.