The RE Podcast

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Are you like me and don't really know very much about the Baha'i faith?  If so then listen to me chat to Debbie Tibbie from the Baha'i community.  We do a whistlestop, yet comprehensive overview of the main beliefs of the Baha'i faith;
Distinct beliefs
Founder
Holy Writings
The meaning of 'oneness'
Key values
Purpose of life
Afterlife
Evil and suffering
Morality
Worship
Holy days and festivals
Leadership

It really is a wonderful religious worldview and I hope you are inspired by it as I am. And how wonderful if some of us could create a space for it in our curriculum!

If you want more information on Baha'i go to
https://www.bahai.org/
or
https://www.bahai.org.uk/

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Now if you haven't seen Happy Valley yet then don't listen to this episode until you do as there are MASSIVE SPOILERS.  Also, this programme is not going to be suitable for everyone as it deals with some serious issues like rape, torture, murder, prostitution and drug use. However, it is also one of the most incredible pieces of television I have ever seen, dealing with social issues like drugs and poverty, plus some big philosophical issues like forgiveness, justice, redemption and atonement.
I talk to the real life Happy Valley vicar, Robb Sutherland about what it is like to live in the town where Happy Valley is set, and we delve into some of the big themes that it deals with.  
I loved chatting to Robb, he is experienced, wise and down to earth and just simply cool!

The link below takes you to an article where one of the actors in Happy Valley has opened a charity shop in the location of the programme!

https://www.examinerlive.co.uk/news/west-yorkshire-news/ryan-actor-rhys-connah-open-26421769.amp

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Please note, there is some content in this episode relating to child sexual abuse, exorcism, and homophobia that some people may find distressing or triggering. 
Kieron tells us his authentic journey from Catholicism to Pentacostalism, through sexual abuse, homosexuality andd doing a dissertation involving an exogesis of Romans 1 while at Bible College.  Plus he details the subsequent reluctance of Christians to engage in conversation about his discovery - a discovery he was not expecting find - that maybe the Bible is not as clearly against homosexuality as many Christians think.
Kieron is authentic and honest about the discrimination he has experienced from the Church, other Christians, the education system and other public sectors due to a people's damaging preconceptions about abuse victims and homosexuality.

God and the Gay Christian: https://matthewvines.com/book/
Survivors Manchester: https://www.wearesurvivors.org.uk/

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This episode illuminates the incredible Empowering Voices project led by Gillian Georgio with a team of talented actors, artists, musicians, editors , directors and producers!

I chat with Gillian herself alongside Creative Director Emily Bignell and producer Leanne Taylor. This project evolved out of REConnecting Lincolnshire project and I ask about both projects. 

The empowering voices project is a series of podcasts which explore lived experiences through drama, conversation and soundscapes. I don't think I have ever seen such a unique RE resource in my 21 years of teaching!

The empowering voices project will inspire you and be an incredible free resource for you!  I can't wait for you to hear all about it and explore it yourself.

Here is the link to the first two amazing Empowering Voices podcasts;

https://www.reconnectlincs.co.uk/empowering-voices

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I am opening season 9 with RE royalty! @KairosButterfly herself, Jennifer Jenkins.  Jennifer and I talk all things Orthodox. The history of the Orthodox Church, it's distinguishing features, inconography, Pascha as well as her journey to becoming Orthodox herself.

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As we approach Easter, many Christians will be contemplating forgiveness. However, is forgiveness just the remit of religion?  In the final episode of season 8, I talk to Marina Cantacuzino about The Forgiveness Project - a secular UK-based charity that uses real stories of victims and perpetrators of crime and violence to help people explore ideas around forgiveness and alternatives to revenge.
Marina, a former journalist, is also author of the book 'Forgiveness; An Exploration.
We discuss the importance of forgiveness, what it is and misconceptions of it, some powerful stories of forgiveness but also acknowledge that it is not always possible.
Marina is also a campaigner for clearn air and supporter of Dignity in Dying and was an incredible guest.

Please listen to her podcast The F Word;

https://www.theforgivenessproject.com/fwordpodcast/

And follow her on twitter

@forgivenessproj 

Here is the link to Braver Angels - an organisation providing opportunities for polarised politcal worldviews to come together and communicate

https://braverangels.org/

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Andy West has made national news with his work using philosophy in prisons.

Read his article here
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/jan/02/philosophy-children-prison-moral-anger-young-lives-wasted-politicians

You can also read his book
The Life Inside: A Memoir of Prison, Family and Learning to Be Free

I have a chat with him about how he got into this work, how and why he uses philosophy in prisons, what we can learn from his work in our own classrooms. Discussing concepts like 'justice' or 'forgiveness' in prisons has extra layers of significance. We also have a wider chat about the state of the justice system in this country and the government pressure to be 'tougher on crime'. He also speaks about what he means by the term 'moral anger'.

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This is a tough topic, but in a country where someone is diagnosed with cancer every 2 minutes, leading to 1000 new diagnosis a day, it feels like one I didn't want to shy away from.  My very good friend, Catherine Woodcock talks wisely and openly and honestly about her diagnosis and how her Christian faith has impacted this.
We discuss how her faith has been of comfort to her, and particular Bible verses that have been significant, her understanding of the problem of evil, life after death, euthanasia and miracles.
It's a truly beautiful and heartwarming chat with someone who has added so much to my life in the 3 years I have known her!

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The day I release this episode is Holi - the most revered festival from Hindu Dharma with colour powder and bonfires.  It marks the end of the cold dark winter and the beginning of spring and new beginnings.  Molly Acharya and Ash Kundi (intermittently) join me once more to discuss;
Discuss what Holi is, the stories behind them, why there are bonfires and coloured powder, how it is celebrated across the world, and how to teach it.  We also explore the cross curricular links with art if you want to share this episode with your art department.
And, as usual, there is a lot of laughs and a lot about food in this episode! Enjoy
Bura na mano Holi hai

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I am so grateful  that Dr. Wendy Dossett has agreed to come back on the podcast to talk about something she is deeply passionate and deeply knowledgable about, both from her own experience and her own research.
Please note this could be quite triggering from some people so please listen with caution.
Here is a website Wendy recommends if you might find it useful.
https://www.nhs.uk/live-well/addiction-support/drug-addiction-getting-help/
We look at what addiction is, what it has to do with spirituality and why might spirituality in recovery from addiction be of interest to RE teachers and students.
We explore the history of alcoholics anonymous and consider the idea of higher power 
We look at other faith-based, and secular approaches to recovery, particularly Buddhism.
If you want to catch the BBC programme AA that featured Wendy I HIGHLY recommend it. Here is the link
 https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001fyzd

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