Turning World

What does conservatism mean in Britain today? And what role should Christianity play in shaping public life?

Jon Egan and Keith Hitchman are joined by Mark Butchard to explore the ideas, traditions and values behind British politics. From Thatcher and Tony Benn to contemporary political leadership, the conversation considers whether modern politics has become detached from the principles that once gave it meaning.

They discuss Christianity’s place in public life, the purpose of education, political civility and the possibility of finding common ground across ideological divides. Along the way, they ask whether British politics has become hollow, and what might be needed to restore a stronger sense of purpose.

Topics include:

• Conservatism and its intellectual foundations
• Christianity and British public life
• Thatcher, Tony Benn and political traditions
• The state of contemporary British politics
• Education and the values we pass on
• Political civility and common ground
• Political leadership and the changing relationship between politicians and the public

Turning World is hosted by Jon Egan and Keith Hitchman. Through open, curious conversations, the podcast explores politics, culture, faith and public life, seeking to understand not just what is happening, but why and what it means for the future.

Produced by Opus Media.

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

In this episode of Turning World, Jon Egan and Keith Hitchman are joined by Professor Peter North of the University of Liverpool to explore whether the economic systems we have inherited are capable of dealing with the challenges of the modern world.

The conversation moves from socialism and economic planning to artificial intelligence, public ownership, Nordic social democracy and the lessons of the Soviet Union.

It also asks a more fundamental question: what should an economy actually be for?

Together they explore:

• Whether socialism can offer a viable alternative economic model

• Economic planning and whether markets are always the answer

• Public control versus private ownership

• What we can learn from the Nordic economies

• What went wrong with Soviet economic planning

• Amazon, Tesco and the power of large corporations

• Whether artificial intelligence could fundamentally change the economy

• Doughnut Economics and living within environmental limits

• Universal basic services and universal basic income

• Alternative economies and social and solidarity economies

• How we might build economies that allow people and communities to live well

Peter North is Professor of Alternative Economies at the University of Liverpool. His research focuses on diverse economies, social and solidarity economies, alternative approaches to money, entrepreneurship and livelihoods, and how communities can develop different ways of organising economic life.

This is a conversation about economics, but also about something bigger: what kind of society do we want to build?

Turning World is hosted by Jon Egan and Keith Hitchman and explores politics, culture, faith and public life through thoughtful conversations that go beyond the headlines.

Produced by Opus Media.

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

What does it mean to die well, and could we change the way we think about death?

In this episode of Turning World, Jon Egan and Keith Hitchman are joined by palliative care doctor Ffion Carlin to explore the realities of caring for people at the end of their lives.

The conversation goes beyond medicine to consider dignity, compassion, fear, meaning and the way modern society approaches death.

They also discuss the emerging use of psychedelics in end of life care and the questions this raises about how we support people experiencing profound psychological and spiritual distress.

Topics include:

• Palliative and end of life care
• Dignity and compassion
• Living with serious illness
• Fear and suffering
• How we talk about death
• Meaning and spirituality
• Psychedelics in end of life care
• The future of palliative medicine
• What it means to die well

Turning World is hosted by Jon Egan and Keith Hitchman and explores politics, culture, faith and public life through conversations about the questions beneath the headlines.

Produced by Opus Media.

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

What role do stories play in shaping who we are?

In this episode of Turning World, Jon Egan and Keith Hitchman are joined by Frank Cottrell-Boyce—award-winning author, screenwriter and former Children's Laureate—to explore storytelling as one of the foundations of culture, identity and community.

Reflecting on a career that spans television, film and children's literature, Frank discusses why stories matter, how childhood has changed, and why reading remains one of the most powerful ways to cultivate imagination, empathy and hope.

The conversation also explores faith, national identity and the role storytelling can play in helping Britain navigate an increasingly fragmented political and cultural landscape.

Topics include:

• Frank's journey from television drama to children's fiction
• The purpose of the Children's Laureate
• Reading, literacy and childhood today
• Storytelling in the digital age
• Why stories read aloud have such lasting power
• Childhood, imagination and resilience
• Catholic faith and hope
• The London 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony
• Storytelling, politics and national identity

Guest

Frank Cottrell-Boyce is an award-winning novelist, screenwriter and former UK Children's Laureate. He has written bestselling children's books including Millions, Cosmic and The Astounding Broccoli Boy, as well as acclaimed screenplays such as Hilary and Jackie, Welcome to Sarajevo and the London 2012 Olympic Opening Ceremony.

About Turning World

Hosted by Jon Egan and Keith Hitchman, Turning World explores politics, culture, faith and public life through thoughtful conversations that go beyond headlines and ideology. Each episode asks not only what's happening in the world—but what stories shape the way we understand it.

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

Andy Burnham's rise to the Labour leadership has prompted renewed debate about the party's future, its relationship with working-class communities and whether it can reconnect with voters who have drifted away over recent decades.

In this episode of Turning World, Jon Egan and Keith Hitchman are joined by political commentator and author Kevin Meagher to examine what Burnham's leadership might mean—not just for Labour, but for British politics more broadly.

The conversation explores class, regional identity, faith, immigration and the changing political landscapes of both Britain and Ireland, asking whether Labour can once again become a movement rooted in community, belonging and shared purpose.

Topics include:

• Andy Burnham and Labour's future
• Working-class identity and political representation
• Northern England and Westminster
• Political legitimacy and leadership
• Faith, Catholicism and public life
• Christian nationalism in British politics
• Irish reunification and political change
• Immigration and populism
• Rebuilding trust in democratic politics

Guest

Kevin Meagher is a political commentator, author and former government adviser. He has written extensively on British politics, Labour, devolution and Ireland, including the book A United Ireland: Why Unification Is Inevitable and How It Will Come About.

About Turning World

Hosted by Jon Egan and Keith Hitchman, Turning World explores politics, culture, faith and public life through thoughtful conversations that go beyond headlines and ideology. Each episode seeks to understand not just what is happening, but why—and what it means for the future.

Produced by Opus Media

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

The Makerfield by-election has been described as one of the most significant political moments in recent years. But what does it really tell us about the future of British politics?

In this episode of Turning World, Jon Egan and Keith Hitchman are joined by political thinker Neal Lawson to explore the questions beneath the headlines.

The conversation examines whether Labour can reconnect with its traditional working-class roots, the rise of Reform UK, the possibility of a progressive alliance, and whether modern politics has become disconnected from the people it claims to represent.

Moving beyond electoral tactics, the discussion also considers whether Britain's political crisis is ultimately cultural and moral rather than simply economic.

Topics include:

• The significance of the Makerfield by-election
• Andy Burnham and Labour's future
• Reform UK's electoral challenge
• Progressive alliances
• Working-class identity and political belonging
• The legacy of neoliberal economics
• Politics beyond left and right
• Morality, faith and Labour's ethical tradition
• Whether politics has lost its sense of purpose

Guest

Neal Lawson is a political commentator, campaigner and founder of Compass. He has spent more than two decades arguing for democratic renewal, political reform and a more plural, collaborative approach to British politics.

About Turning World

Hosted by Jon Egan and Keith Hitchman, Turning World explores politics, culture, faith and public life through thoughtful conversations that go beyond headlines and ideology. Each episode seeks to understand not just what is happening, but why—and what it means for the future.

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

In this episode, Jon Egan and Keith Hitchman are joined by Laurence Thompson of Liverpool Post for a conversation about journalism, identity and cultural storytelling.

The discussion explores the role of local journalism in holding power to account, shaping civic identity and preserving meaning in an increasingly fragmented world.

Topics include:

• Local journalism and democratic accountability

• Journalist-politician relationships

• Liverpool and Manchester identities

• Cultural production and civic pride

• Writing and poetry

• Catholicism and artistic expression

• Meaning, memory and nostalgia

Guest bio:

Lawrence Thompson is a journalist and writer with Liverpool Post, covering politics, culture and civic life across the Liverpool City Region.

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

In this special episode of Turning World, Jon Egan reports from Makerfield after a day spent speaking to local residents, campaign teams and political operatives during one of Britain's most closely watched by-election campaigns.

Rather than focusing on polling or Westminster commentary, Jon reflects on the conversations taking place on the ground and what they reveal about trust, political identity and the mood of voters.

The discussion explores:

• The issues people are actually talking about

• Whether Labour remains connected to its traditional voters

• Reform UK's appeal in former Labour areas

• Political disengagement and voter frustration

• What campaigners are seeing on the doorstep

• Whether the result has national implications

A field report from the front line of British politics.

Produced by Opus Media.

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

In this bonus episode of Turning World, Jon Egan and Keith Hitchman explore a question increasingly felt across the political spectrum: why do so many people no longer feel at home in politics?

As traditional party loyalties weaken and trust in institutions continues to decline, political debate often seems unable to address deeper questions about belonging, meaning, identity and purpose.

This conversation examines whether the crisis facing politics is ultimately a cultural and spiritual one.

Topics include:

• The decline of traditional party politics

• Political homelessness and alienation

• Fragmentation and social disconnection

• Keir Starmer and the future of Labour

• Jeremy Corbyn and political realignment

• Politics as branding and performance

• Beyond left and right

• Paul Kingsnorth and cultural grief

• Eastern Orthodoxy and spiritual renewal

• Meaning, belonging and identity

• Human values and political renewal

• Paradox in public life

About Turning World:

Turning World is hosted by Jon Egan and Keith Hitchman and explores politics, culture, faith and public life in a time of uncertainty and transformation.

Through open and thoughtful conversations, the podcast examines the questions that sit beneath today's headlines and seeks understanding beyond ideological tribes.

Produced by Opus Media.

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

In Episode 5 of Turning World, Jon Egan and Keith Hitchman explore one of the defining questions of our age: why do so many people feel disconnected from meaning, place and community?

Drawing on literature, cultural history, spirituality and personal experience, this conversation examines what has been lost as communities become more homogenised, public life becomes more managed and genuine face-to-face conversation becomes increasingly rare.

Topics include:

• Counterculture and non-conformity

• Independent thinking and self-education

• The legacy of literary and underground movements

• Sense of place and local identity

• Nostalgia and memory

• Political uses of nostalgia

• The disappearance of grassroots culture

• Meaning and modern life

• Sacred experience and mysticism

• John Moriarty and deep attention

• Conversation, listening and human connection

• Paradox and the complexity of being human

About Turning World:

Turning World is hosted by Jon Egan and Keith Hitchman and explores politics, culture, faith and public life in an age of uncertainty and transformation.

The podcast creates space for thoughtful conversations that don't fit neatly into ideological boxes, seeking understanding rather than certainty.

Produced by Opus Media.

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