Cowrie Shells

Meet Lydia Bennett – Usually the one asking the questions as a presenter with Premier Christian radio, listen to Lydia’s stories giving us a unique peek into life on the other side of the Premier mic. Talking identity, body image, theology, saying ‘no’ to the pursuit of fame, and more, Lydia has much to share.

With audio from our very first live-streamed episode aired on Saturday 25 April, be part of the live audience and get inspired to choose integrity over worldly influence, growing your love for God before desire for fame – whatever the sphere He has placed you in.

You can hear more of Lydia on Premier’s ‘Daytime with Lydia’ Tues-Wed 10am or kick off your weekend with ‘Big Breakfast’ on Saturday mornings. You can even catch her on Premier Praise, Sundays from 10am.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Meet Sarah Barton – When untreated emotional wounds led Sarah and husband Mike to attend a course called Restoring the Foundations, a thought dropped into their spirit that they were not anticipating. What would it look like if they were to pay it forward?

On the cusp of their retirement, listen to their remarkable story of how they swapped deckchairs for a journey of obedience towards a God-given vision.

Don’t miss out on this episode, and be inspired and challenged along with Sarah to respond to God’s invitation with an unflinching: ‘Yes, Lord, I’m willing. I don’t want to miss out!’

To find out more about the amazing work of Restoring the Foundations (RTF) in both the UK and internationally visit:

www.restoringthefoundations.uk

www.restoringthefoundations.org

For information on Sarah and Mike’s specific RTF project in the heart of Wales, UK visit:

www.bethesdabarns.co.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How can a grown woman understand the loving father heart of God when her younger self has no frame of reference for it?

Meet Sarah Barton – Born into a family set up coloured by poverty, addiction, mental health issues and more, it is unsurprising that she grew up with an incomplete picture of love. In the face of her brokenness, what did surprise Sarah was encountering a God who repeatedly pursued her, even when she turned away.

Listen to Sarah’s beautiful story and embrace the truth that we do not have to be products of our upbringing. God’s father heart is available and capable of filling every aching heart where love has felt incomplete, including yours.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Meet Alexandra Huggins – An introvert girl who first encountered a sense of culture shock when she relocated from Germany to the UK aged ten, little did she know that change and transition would become a recurring feature of her life. From marriage breakdown to grief and illness, singleness to remarriage, raising children to embracing blended family life – Alex has repeatedly seen what she calls the outrageous faithfulness and goodness of God.

Listen and be inspired by every twist and turn of her tale – one which makes it clear that with God nothing is wasted, and His Word never returns void.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Meet Katie Amanda – A girl who dreamt of finding love in the arms of a man she could spend life with, Katie didn’t expect divorce to be part of her adult story. So when her marriage tragically unravelled, Katie felt utterly devastated. Wrestling with heartbreak and uncertainty as a single mum of three, she encountered a God who whispered affirmation into all her hurting places, tenderly rebuilding and cherishing her as a sapphire to be treasured.

Listen to Katie’s vulnerable account of how she navigated divorce with a God who never forsakes us and be challenged, like her, to change the narrative by throwing out all bitterness and saying thank you for all that life has given.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Meet Tope Forsyth – Nigerian-born but British-bred, Tope has lived in the UK for most of her life. Hers is a story of sensing God pursue her before she even knew Him; initially as an abstract, then increasingly as her rock and comfort when life intensified and her first daughter was diagnosed with Down Syndrome. Listen to her story and be inspired by her wholehearted acceptance of her circumstances; choosing to love her family with its uniquely beautiful shape, and what’s more, to empower women everywhere with a reminder that we can choose to put on the armour of God, our ‘IHAMORA’ (meaning armour in the Nigerian language of Yoruba).

More information on Tope’s active and leisure wear brand, IHAMORA can be found at: www.ihamora.co.uk

She invites you to take this opportunity to be part of the unique tribe of IHAMORA women and girls – a community of strength, joy and movement.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Please note: due to a change in venue this episode features some external traffic noise

Meet Kate Patterson – Having grown up as a vicar’s daughter, Kate followed in her parents’ footsteps, marrying a vicar and co-leading a church with him. She felt that life was at its sweetest spot when sudden tragedy turned everything upside down. Listen in to Kate’s tender story of how, in the reality of her suffering, she encountered a God who cares deeply; one who not only enabled her to navigate grief but equipped her to come alongside others and empowered her to become a speaker and writer whose words are like a warm, compassionate hug. No stranger to suffering, Kate understands what it is to walk through a sense of wilderness and keep eyes fixed on Jesus. Be comforted, encouraged and inspired.

For more information and to purchase Kate’s beautiful books visit: giftofblessingtrust.org

Please note all profits generated from Ashes to Crowns – Grieving with Hope (2025) will go towards gifting the book to those who need it most.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Meet Charlotte Nall – What happens when God gives you a clear dream for something but then circumstances appear to render it impossible? What happens when your husband turns away from God? What happens when God instructs you to leave your job? What happens when miscarriage is preceded by still birth and you are left with an empty womb? Listen in to how Charlotte faced all this and more – consistently choosing to cling to Jesus and embrace His mindset. Join her at the cusp of this new year in saying ‘I’m not budging’ and planting a stake firmly in the ground of faith.

For more information on Charlotte's story of Micah and the charity she founded see:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=94ZBcfaF30Q

https://littlefingers.org.uk

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.