The Sacred

By Theos Think TankSociety & Culture Relationships

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Typical duration
61 min
per episode

Based on Podcast App listening data

The Sacred episodes

February 12, 2025 The Problem with DEI and Why I Voted for Brexit with Conservative Philosopher James Orr
Elizabeth Oldfield and James Orr discuss the relationship between the sacred and the secular, and his conservative political views on Brexit, and his critique of Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion policies.
James Orr is the Associate Professor of the Philosophy of Religion at the University of Cambridge.
This episode offers a unique and insightful exploration of the sacred in the modern world, touching on themes of tradition, community, and the human condition. It's a must-listen for those interested in philosophy, religion, and the deeper questions of our shared existence!
As promised here is a link to Swinburne'sHymn to Prosperine: https://www.poetryfoundation.org/poems/45292/hymn-to-proserpine-after-the-proclamation-in-rome-of-the-christian-faith

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/
✍️ See James' work: @jtworr

Keywords:
sacred, secular, enchantment, ordinary, values, virtues, tradition, formative influences, multilingual, boarding school, religion, faith, journey, conservatism, political beliefs, Brexit, class divide, equality, diversity, inclusion, social cohesion, institutional resilience, metaphysical, human dignity, quantitative, philosophy, religion, theology, Christianity, Catholicism, Anglicanism, moral philosophy, ethics, community, belonging, identity, culture, modernism, postmodernism, transcendence, immanence, sacred-secular divide, spiritual, intellectual, cultural, political, social, personal, formation, transformation
1 hr 6 min
January 29, 2025 Do We Inherit Mental Illness? with ABC Journalist James Longman
ABC Foreign News Correspondent James Longman speaks to Elizabeth Oldfield about the emotional toll he faces as a journalist reporting from war zones, the challenges of being a gay journalist in dangerous regions abroad, and the intergenerational impact of mental illness within his own family.
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/
✍️ See James' new book 'The Inherited Mind': https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/211026628-the-inherited-mind
CHAPTERS
00:00 Intro
00:54 What is Sacred to you? James Longman responds
07:03 Childhood Influences and Family Dynamics
14:07 The Impact of Mental Health in Family History
18:58 The Journey into Journalism and Conflict Reporting
24:11 Ethics and Responsibilities in News Reporting
29:51 Cultural and Spiritual Influences on Identity
31:48 Navigating Identity in Hostile Environments
38:02 The Interplay of Genetics and Environment
45:11 Understanding Mental Illness and Suicide
48:30 The Power of Compassionate Support
52:00 Elizabeth's reflection
Keywords:
kindness, journalism, family, mental health, ethics, conflict reporting, Ukraine, storytelling, hope, authenticity, Catholicism, LGBTQ+, mental health, genetics, suicide, community, love, support, healing, identity, journalist, ethics, war, trauma, resilience, empathy, responsibility, mental, illness, family, spirituality, identity, sexuality, reporting, hope, grief, healing, understanding, community, compassion, depression, suicide, schizophrenia, bipolar, epigenetics, environment, genetics, inherited, sacred, values, storytelling, bearing, witness, gay, international, danger, intergenerational, legacy, support, care, privilege, resources, authenticity, vulnerability, forgiveness, redemption, transformation
1 hr 3 min
January 15, 2025 Why is Gen Z Having an Identity Crisis? With Freya India
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.
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/
✍️ 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
1 hr 7 min
January 08, 2025 Q&A: Faith vs Doubt, The Loneliness Crisis, Will I Convert to Islam?
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
52 min
December 18, 2024 Rethinking Sin with Clementine Morrigan (Bonus Episode)
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
🎙️ Follow The Sacred: linktr.ee/sacredpodcast
🎙️ 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/
1 hr 13 min
December 17, 2024 Ask us anything
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
2 min
December 11, 2024 Between God and Atheism with Alex O'Connor, Rowan Williams, Philip Goff and Jack Symes
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.
If you enjoy episodes of The Sacred please do 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/
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
1 hr 26 min
December 04, 2024 Why we Stick to "People Like Us" (and Why That's a Problem) with Jon Yates
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.
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/
📕 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
41 min
November 13, 2024 Befriending the KKK and Dismantling Racism with Daryl Davis
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.
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/
📕 See Daryl's work: https://www.daryldavis.com/
1 hr 1 min
November 06, 2024 Porn, Feminism and Misogyny in the Media with Sarah Ditum
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.
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/
📕 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
1 hr 7 min