It's our final episode of Being Human Season 7. Jo Frost, Peter Lynas and special guest Katherine Brown (Being Human’s engagement lead) complete the mini-series with some big announcements. 

We get to know Katherine as she makes her Being Human podcast debut by sharing her story of becoming a Christian at drama school and how she ended up at Being Human. Revisiting the Quiet Revival, the team probes further into some of the themes, trends and motivations for faith exploration. The team use the Being Human Lens to explore how spiritual practices are becoming a popular gateway to faith as things like sabbath, fasting and digital detoxes become commonplace in our culture.

In this episode, Jo Frost and Peter Lynas jump in to the Quiet Revival research. Unpacking the trends they are seeing emerge between men and women's approaches to faith. Men seem to take a "Jesus plus politics" approach whereas women are taking a "Jesus plus spirituality" approach. Sharing their observations from traveling and hearing stories, they chat about differences across nations and how the church can be equipped to navigate and disciple all of these newcomers.

Shownotes

02:21 Bible Society & YouGov Stats: Why the numbers surprised everyone

03:30 Other research confirms the trend (Bibles, students, Belief in Britain)

05:32 Where it’s showing up: regions, church types, and size effects

07:23 Baptisms, attendance, and ‘It’s not my church’

09:41 Public male converts & the politics question: What’s driving it?

10:29 Fear narratives: ‘Where are the men?’ and the discipleship challenge

11:55 Men’s pathways: solo faith, podcasts, and right-leaning baggage

15:15 Women’s pathways & ‘Jesus+’: experiential spirituality vs logic

18:00 Why are women’s stories quieter? Influence, platforms, and blind spots

22:02 Discipling the newcomers: From ‘Third eye’ stories to core formation

24:34 Openness Is Rising, now the church must disciple well

25:30 Identity, community & nationalism: flipping the lens

25:55 How to respond: share your local church story

27:13 Digging deeper: why the ‘quiet revival’ is happening

28:14 Chaos, deconstruction & openness to the Christian story

29:23 From Tom Holland to Jordan Peterson: intellectual, community & spiritual pathways

30:16 Is fear driving faith? What our research found about anxiety & hope

33:28 Viral moments & messy catalysts: funerals, livestreams and unexpected seekers

35:01 Google as evangelist: why SEO, online clarity & welcome matter

36:11 So what do we do? Step into the missional moment

37:54 A real-life nudge: the devotion book that opened a Jesus conversation

39:54 Discipleship in real time: handling messy journeys and public voices

41:56 Final landing: be a non-anxious presence and nurture what the Spirit grows

In this episode of Being Human, Jo Frost and Peter Lynas take a deep dive into the controversial public figure Tommy Robinson, examining his conversion to Christianity and asking how it compares with the well-known faith journey of historian Tom Holland (Dominion).

The conversation explores the growing influence of Christian nationalism in the UK, Robinson’s cultural impact, and the wider debates shaping British society today, including Islam, immigration, national identity, and free speech.

Jo and Peter go on to ask some of the biggest questions facing the UK right now:

00:00 Introduction and welcome

00:27 Exploring fear in relationships

01:36 The tale of the two Tommys

02:03 Tom Holland's journey to Christianity

07:42 Tommy Robinson's perspective

17:45 Fear and identity politics

20:39 Christian Nationalism: definitions and debates

23:52 Tommy's provocative questions

24:45 Christianity's influence on society

25:36 The role of Christianity in modern cities

26:35 Challenges and critiques of Christian values

29:15 Fear vs. hope in Christian response

29:54 Addressing violence and fear

31:14 Christian citizenship and identity

38:06 Navigating fear and relationships

42:51 Conclusion and call to action

Jo Frost and Peter Lynas are back with the seventh season of the Being Human podcast - Fear Makes The World Go Round - focusing on the chaos of the world today and its impact on our human story. They chat about how global instability, health anxieties, and geopolitical chaos are shaping our lifestyles and invoking fear responses. Delving deeper, they explore the rise of new leadership styles and the deconstruction of international norms. It's not all doom and gloom as they conclude with the story of Daniel as an example to living with a supernatural hope in the face of turbulent times. Jo also shares her upcoming departure to the Oxford Centre for Christian Apologetics, marking this mini-series as her final contribution as a co-host.

Join Jo Frost and Peter Lynas as they chat about all things sexuality and gender with Dr. Preston Sprinkle in the first-ever live recording of the Being Human podcast.  

Known for his work with the Center for Faith, Sexuality, and Gender, Preston shares his top tips and insights for navigating these conversations in Christian spaces.  

Highlights include the importance of speaking up, the experiences of LGBT people within the church and the differences in approach between US and UK law. Prepare to be welcomed and challenged compassionately. 

Want to explore more about what the Bible says about sex, sexuality and gender?  

Check out our video series 

Follow our socials for more conversations 

Follow Preston 

https://linktr.ee/Prestonsprinkle 

Chapters 

00:00 Welcome and introduction 

00:44 First live recording experience 

01:28 Reflections on discussion 

05:00 Getting to know Preston Sprinkle 

06:36 Preston's academic and personal motivations 

08:02 Future of sexuality and gender conversations 

16:22 Understanding different perspectives 

21:02 LGBT stories in the church 

23:39 ‘Silence is not an option’ 

24:21 Navigating church conversations on sexuality and gender 

25:39 How to speak up as a church leader 

28:06 Gender conversation shifts in the UK and US 

34:51 Theological anthropology and transgenderism 

36:47 Balancing public engagement and pastoral care 

41:37 Final reflections and prayer requests 

In the season six finale, Jo Frost and Peter Lynas explore the major cultural shifts shaping our view of the future. From Bryan Johnson’s anti-aging pursuits to Elon Musk’s space ambitions, they unpack what these stories reveal about our hopes and fears. The episode also delves into AI’s growing influence on politics and society. Jo and Peter contrast these secular visions with the Christian narrative - one rooted in hope and purpose. They close with practical tips - using simplicity and Sabbath rest as ways to stay spiritually grounded in an increasingly fast-paced and uncertain world.

00:00 Introduction and Opening Thoughts

00:18 Welcome and Podcast Overview

01:23 Exploring Hope, Progress, and the Future

03:02 The Myth of Progress and Cultural Shifts

07:33 Health, Longevity, and Technological Advances

12:34 AI and the Future of Humanity

15:13 Transhumanism and Technological Utopias

19:52 Cultural Reflections and Influences

29:35 Christian Perspective on Hope and Eschatology

33:34 The Importance of Eschatology

34:46 Misconceptions About Heaven and Earth

35:46 Living in the Now: Balancing Faith and Life

38:33 The Practice of Sabbath

40:47 Simplicity and Submission in Discipleship

Related links:

In this week’s episode, Jo Frost and Peter Lynas explore the urgent issue of the 'discipleship deficit' amidst the growing number of young people coming to faith. They discuss the challenges of discipling in a complex world with its constant changes in cultural values and societal shifts.

The conversation delves into the need for new methods of discipleship to bridge the cultural disconnect and align with the gospel's teachings.

The discussion highlights the importance of community and worship while suggesting Biblical practices like digital abstinence to navigate this transformative time. They pull on threads from the gospels and early church practices and provide insights for today’s church to better support this exciting rise in spiritual interest.   

00:00 Introduction: The Missional Moment

00:30 Welcome to Being Human

01:53 Exploring the Discipleship Deficit

04:03 Cultural Shifts and Their Impact

07:22 The Role of Community in Faith

11:19 Discipleship in a Complex World

18:33 Jesus' Encounters and Lessons

25:22 Practical Steps for Discipleship

33:03 Conclusion

In this episode of Being Human, hosts Jo Frost and Peter Lynas discuss the increasing interest in Christianity among Gen Z and young men, exploring the profound cultural and spiritual shifts underlying this trend. They highlight the rising curiosity in faith, supported by empirical data and real-life stories.  

Delving into the intellectual journeys sparked by public figures like Jordan Peterson and Russell Brand they look at how these influences shape individuals' exploration of Christianity. They also examine how these cultural shifts align with biblical narratives, emphasising the importance of witnessing and interceding.  

The episode concludes with practical advice for anchoring spiritual growth in daily practices and fostering a supportive community for new believers. 

00:00 Introduction: The Growing Interest in Faith 

00:38 Exploring the Cultural Shifts 

01:31 The Quiet Revival: Is It Real? 

02:41 Focus on Young Men and Gen Z 

05:35 Public Figures and Faith 

09:21 Generational Trends in Faith 

14:27 The Role of Intellectuals and Public Discourse 

19:14 Biblical Stories and Their Relevance 

28:41 Witnessing and Intercession 

35:24 Conclusion 

Links to items discussed 

Join Jo and Peter in a new episode of Being Human as they reflect on the concept of the 'vibe shift' and its far-reaching effects on today’s cultural and social dynamics. They explore real-life examples from changes in corporate culture and political realignments to the evolving ways people express their faith in public. Through their discussion, they emphasise the importance of grounding oneself in scripture and liturgy to navigate these shifting cultural landscapes, offering a stable foundation in Jesus. Tune in for an engaging exploration of how to live truly and fully human in today's ever-changing world.

00:00 Introduction: Cultural shifts

00:30 Welcome to Being Human

01:20 Exploring the Vibe Shift

03:21 Cultural Examples of the Vibe Shift

14:23 Faith and the Vibe Shift

26:15 Practices for Navigating in Changing Times

Links mentioned

Santiago Pliego: pliego.substack.com/p/vibe-shift

Alison P. Davis New York Magazine article: A Vibe Shift Is Coming. Will any of us survive it? www.thecut.com/a-vibe-shift-is-coming

Jo and Peter return to unpack freedom, chatting through insights on the topics of free speech, social justice and asking if it's okay to stop others from exercising their freedom to protect your own.

Explore the dynamic exchange between Jo Frost and Peter Lynas as they delve into cultural conversations and biblical practices to explore what freedom, faith, and being truly, fully human looks like today in our latest podcast episode! Tune in for an engaging discussion that resonates with current debates and timeless truths. 

00:00 Introduction: Absolute freedom is a myth  

00:33:  JD Vance and free speech 

01:35:  What is freedom?  

02:12:  Freedom and Individualism  

06:58: Are our freedoms under threat? 

07:03: Coercion and Assisted Suicide 

10:57: Freedom in the Digital Age 

13:42: Biblical Perspective on Freedom 

25:41: Christian Practices for Freedom