Why are resilience and mental health such critical issues for Generation Z? Elizabeth Oldfield and Freya India discuss the influence of social media, individualism, left-wing ideas and changes in parenting on Gen Z.

We explore themes such as divorce and family breakdown, the pervasive influence of the mental health narratives on youth and the search for identity and spiritual meaning in a disenchanted world.

Freya India is a Gen Z writer and journalist, featured in The Spectator, The New Statesman, The Independent and UnHerd, and known for her popular Substack, GIRLS.

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📖 Follow Elizabeth Oldfield: www.elizabetholdfield.com/

💡 Produced by the ‪@thinktanktheos‬ www.theosthinktank.co.uk/

✍️ Subscribe to Freya's substack: https://www.freyaindia.co.uk?utm_source=navbar&utm_medium=web

Keywords:

family, divorce, social media, Generation Z, Gen Z, emotional pain, resilience, societal norms, childhood, identity, mental health, mental health, youth, culture, algorithms, social media, spirituality, community, generational divide, self-help, meaning crisis, instagram, identity, growth, self help, polarisation, conservative, religion

Elizabeth, Dan and Amari discuss various questions from their audience such as, How did Elizabeth find the Atheism debate? How do I navigate uncertainty and doubt in my faith? Will humans always be a bit lonely? Can Christianity be inclusive of other religions? How can we avoid constructing our own God?

And more!

Chapters

00:00:00 - Intro

00:01:08 - How did you find the Atheism panel debate?

00:04:09 - Navigating doubt and uncertainty in faith

00:12:00 - Is loneliness a chronic human problem?

00:18:00 - Authenticity and Self-Work

00:25:00 - Can people from other religions go to heaven?

00:33:00 - Avoiding projection on God

00:39:00 - Praying for specific things

00:45:00 - Prayer as Meditation and Attention Training

00:51:00 - What is Sacred to the Sacred Team?

Keywords

faith, doubt, community, loneliness, crisis, spirituality, uncertainty, conversion, intimacy, philosophy, Christianity, faith, prayer, inclusivity, exclusivism, Hinduism, spirituality, Jesus, interfaith dialogue, personal belief, sacredness, community, intimacy, loneliness, exclusivism, inclusivity, relationship, projection, prayer, meditation, sacred, dignity, beauty, humanity, theology, philosophy, religion, spirituality, Christianity, Hinduism, interfaith, deconstruction, authenticity, self-work

In this special bonus episode of The Sacred, we are glad to share a conversation Elizabeth had with writer and podcaster Clementine Morrigan on her podcast 'Fucking Cancelled'.

In this conversation they discussed Elizabeth's book Fully Alive, taking a deep dive into her thinking around Lust, Wrath and what Christian's mean by 'God' at all.

Clementine is a former guest on The Sacred. Be sure to check out her episode discussing trauma, alcohol recovery, and challenging cancel culture from the left here: https://podcasts.apple.com/be/podcast/clementine-morrigan-on-trauma-alcohol-recovery-and/id1326888108?i=1000645258658

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🎙️ Follow Fucking Cancelled: https://podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/fucking-cancelled/id1549437914

📖 Follow Elizabeth Oldfield: www.elizabetholdfield.com/

💡 Produced by the ‪@thinktanktheos‬ www.theosthinktank.co.uk/

Send us your questions and thoughts that you'd like Elizabeth (+ the wider team) to cover in an upcoming Q+A episode! 💌

Whether it’s a question relating to an episode or guest, questions for our production team or about the Sacred project, we'd love to hear your thoughts. We'd happily accept voice notes or videos too.

📩 How to Send Your Questions:

- Drop them in the comments below

- DM us on X or Instagram

- Email us at [email protected]

📢 Don’t forget to subscribe and hit the notification bell so you don’t miss your question being answered

Elizabeth Oldfield joins panel of leading thinkers from across the philosophical and religious spectrum come together to grapple with some of life's biggest questions on God, atheism, and the meaning of life.

The panelists - including Elizabeth Oldfield, Rowan Williams, Alex O'Connor, and Philip Goff - engage in a lively debate exploring the origins of the universe, the problem of suffering, and the search for meaning and purpose.

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📖 Follow Elizabeth Oldfield: www.elizabetholdfield.com/

💡 Produced by the ‪@thinktanktheos‬ www.theosthinktank.co.uk/

Keywords:

God, Atheism, Theism, Christianity, Philosophy of religion, Meaning of life, Purpose of existence, Suffering, Problem of evil, Fine-tuning of the universe, Intelligent design, Creationism, Naturalism, Gnosticism, Cosmology, Metaphysics, Epistemology, Theology, Spiritual, Religious, Debate, Panel discussion, Royal Institution, Elizabeth Oldfield, Rowan Williams, Alex O'Connor (aka Cosmic Skeptic), Philip Gough, Faith, Belief, Doubt, Uncertainty, Morality, Ethics, Consciousness, Cosmos, Transcendence, Immanence, Relationship with God, Mysticism, Heresy

Why do we so often surround ourselves with people just like us? In this thought-provoking conversation, Elizabeth Oldfield speaks to author and social innovator Jon Yates about how 'people like me' syndrome plays out in our personal lives, communities, and society at large.

We have noticed this theme pop up numerous times in our latest series and so join us as we look back on series 11 and explore the dangers of living in echo chambers, our innate desire for acceptance and discuss practical ways we can overcome our natural inclination towards the familiar and embrace meaningful connections across difference.

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📖 Follow Elizabeth Oldfield: www.elizabetholdfield.com/

💡 Produced by the ‪@thinktanktheos‬ www.theosthinktank.co.uk/

📕 See Jon Yates' Work: https://jonyates.org/

Keywords:

Division, polarization, polarisation, homophily, bias, diversity, inclusion, empathy, understanding, connection, relationships, community, social dynamics, tribalism, echo chambers, prejudice, acceptance, belonging, difference, similarity, societal issues, conflict resolution, reconciliation, moral judgment, moral agency, parenting, authoritative, permissive, principles, values, discourse, perspective-taking, curiosity, vulnerability, insecurity, rejection, anxiety, comfort zone, interpersonal dynamics, social psychology, behavioural economics, behavioral economics, organisational behaviour, organizational behavior, civic engagement, social cohesion, collective identity, intergroup relations, bridging divides, shared experiences, common ground, nuance, emotional intelligence, community projects, youth charity, Youth Endowment Fund, division, people like me syndrome, social mobility, empathy and curiosity, moral agency, authoritative parenting, shared institutions, digital echo chambers, emotional challenge, moral value, societal division

Daryl Davis shares a unique perspective on the motivations behind white supremacy and what it takes to see the gradual transformation of KKK members.

Hosts Elizabeth Oldfield and Alex Evans, delve into the extraordinary story of Daryl Davis, a Blues musician who has spent decades befriending and dialoguing with members of the Ku Klux Klan. Driven by a deep curiosity to understand the roots of racism, Daryl has taken an unconventional approach, choosing empathy and open communication over confrontation.

Discover the profound impact one person can have in bridging the divide and fostering greater understanding between communities.

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📖 Follow Elizabeth Oldfield: www.elizabetholdfield.com/

💡 Produced by the ‪@thinktanktheos‬ www.theosthinktank.co.uk/

📕 See Daryl's work: https://www.daryldavis.com/

Sarah Ditum delves into her journey through the strands of feminism, the misogynistic "upskirt decade" - the invasive celebrity culture of the late 90s and 2000s that often exploited and shamed young women, and her views on the role of pornography and its impact on mainstream culture.

Sarah is a critic and columnist for The Times and The Sunday Times, and author of the book "Toxic: Women and the Noughties."

This wide-ranging conversation provides a nuanced look at the evolution of feminist thought, the power of media narratives, and the personal experiences that have informed Sarah Ditum's worldview.

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📖 Follow Elizabeth Oldfield: www.elizabetholdfield.com/

💡 Produced by the ‪@thinktanktheos‬ www.theosthinktank.co.uk/

📕 See Sarah's book "Toxic: Women, Fame, and the Tabloid 2000s": https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/61783796-toxic

Referenced text: Choice Feminism and the Fear of Politics http://www.jstor.org/stable/25698532

CHAPTERS

00:00 What is Sacred to you? Sarah Ditum answers

02:54 Navigating Gender Identity and Journalism

06:14 The Importance of Disagreement in Politics

09:10 Childhood Influences and Upbringing

11:48 Feminism and Personal Identity

15:11 The Impact of Motherhood on Feminist Views

19:11 The Upskirt Decade: Media and Women

28:03 The Intersection of Privacy and Gender

34:03 The Reasonable Expectation of Privacy

35:56 Cultural Norms and the Sexualisation of Women

39:05 Cultural Poisoning and Media Influence

41:53 Nihilism and the Impact of 9/11 on Culture

44:10 Changing Narratives: Celebrity Women Today

47:59 The Evolution of Language Around Abuse

51:21 The Normalisation of Sexualisation and Pornography

57:50 The Exploitative Nature of the Porn Industry

01:01:35 Cultural Stories and Their Impact on Identity

Keywords

pornography, feminism, gender identity, motherhood, media, privacy, women's rights, sacred values, upskirt decade, journalism, privacy, cultural norms, sexualization, sexualisation, media influence, nihilism, celebrity culture, abuse language, pornography, exploitation, identity

Rod Dreher and Elizabeth Oldfield delve into Rod's coverage of the Catholic sex abuse scandal, converting to Eastern Orthodoxy, his views on immigration and Donald Trump and supernatural experiences.

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📖 Follow Elizabeth Oldfield: www.elizabetholdfield.com/

💡 Produced by the ‪@thinktanktheos‬ www.theosthinktank.co.uk/

📕 See Rod Dreher's new book 'Living in Wonder: Finding Mystery and Meaning in a Secular Age'

CHAPTERS

00:00:00 What is Sacred to you? Rod Dreher answers

00:06:28 Family, Place, and the Weight of Expectations

00:10:16 Moral Foundations and Personal Crisis

00:17:54 The Benedict Option: A Call to Intentional Living

00:26:25 The Journey to Orthodoxy and the Search for Transcendence

00:30:39 Living in Wonder: Rediscovering the Enchanted World

00:33:03 The Unseen Battle: Spiritual Awareness

00:36:44 Encounters with the Divine: Transformative Stories

00:39:41 Spiritual climate

00:43:03 Conservative politics, Trump and faith

00:48:42 The willingness to suffer for your beliefs

Keywords:

Dreher, Christian, Orthodox, Conversion, Benedict, Community, Spiritual, Moral, Innocence, Hierarchy, Southern, Humour, Family, Idolatry, Abuse, Authority, Storytelling, Enchantment, Beauty, Supernatural, Politics, Immigration, Vulnerability, Suffering, Humility, Compassion, Culture, Havel, Reverence, Resilience, Conservative, Trump, Rod Dreher, Exorcism, Spiritual Warfare, sexual abuse, catholic church, scandal, faith, crisis, immigration, eastern orthodox, spirituality, spiritual battle, innocence of children, family values, moral foundations, Benedict Option, Eastern Orthodoxy, living in wonder, transcendence, core values, intentional living, spirituality, exorcism, divine encounters, political theology, vulnerability, Christianity, paganism, public witness, supernatural, cultural engagement

Father James Martin and our host, Elizabeth Oldfield discuss his journey to becoming a Catholic priest and the Jesuit motto of finding God in everything. We spoke about the difficulty of living a life of chastity, becoming a vocal advocate for LGBTQ inclusion within the Catholic Church and navigating backlash as a public figure.

If you enjoy episodes of The Sacred don't forget to hit subscribe to be notified whenever we release an episode!

🎙️ Follow The Sacred: linktr.ee/sacredpodcast

📖 Follow Elizabeth Oldfield: www.elizabetholdfield.com/

💡 Produced by the ‪@thinktanktheos‬ www.theosthinktank.co.uk/

📕 Purchase Fr James Martin's new book 'Come Forth' here: https://www.eden.co.uk/christian-books/bible-study/academic-bible-study/come-forth/

CHAPTERS

00:00 What is Sacred to you? Father James Martin replies

00:54 Understanding the Sacred

02:50 The Role of Discernment in Life

05:46 Childhood Influences and Early Life

09:08 Transitioning from Business to Jesuit Life

11:56 Exploring Religious Orders

14:51 Community Living and Its Challenges

18:10 Chastity is difficult

20:05 Having a public voice

23:00 Advocacy for the LGBTQ Community

27:16 Spiritual Rejection and backlash

32:06 Understanding Radicalisation and Disagreement

34:32 The Role of Politics in Division

38:58 Finding the Balance in Discourse

40:24 Exploring the Themes of 'Come Forth'

44:44 Jesuit Wisdom on Understanding Others

49:06 The Importance of Connection in Disagreement

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Keywords

Compassion, Catholic, Jesuit, Priest, Humanity, Monastic, Despair, Hope, Jesus, Catholic, Religion, Theology, Spirituality, Ministry, Pastoral, Devotion, Morality, Ethics, Belief, Tradition, Contemplation, Mysticism, Interfaith, Ecumenical, Jesuit priest, Catholic spirituality, Finding God in all things, Discernment of spirits, LGBTQ advocacy in the Catholic Church, Navigating controversy and criticism, Chastity and religious life, Compassion and empathy in faith, Bridging divides and understanding differences, Vocation and calling, Spirituality and everyday life, Theological perspectives on Jesus's humanity, Intentional community and monastic living, division, politics, listening, relationship, Overcoming despair and cultivating hope, Balancing public ministry and personal faith, Lessons in listening and giving the benefit of the doubt, Exploring sacred and secular in modern life, Insights from a Jesuit priest and author, Navigating faith, difference, and social justice, Transformative spiritual journeys