In this Unbelievable conversation, host John Nelson tackles the “meaning crisis” that’s been bubbling up across the internet: the rise in loneliness, anxiety, addiction and a sense of cultural fragmentation and the growing hunger for depth, belonging and transcendence.

John Vervaeke (University of Toronto) argues that modern life suffers from a “propositional tyranny”, over-privileging facts and analysis while neglecting other ways of knowing procedural, perspectival and participatory that bind us to reality, one another, and ourselves.

Poet and priest Malcolm Guite agrees, tracing the crisis to modernity’s split between mind and world, and making a passionate case for imagination, myth and poetry as truth-bearing, meaning-making faculties. Together they explore logos, “religio” as binding, the limits of “spiritual but not religious”, and why practices, community and pilgrimage may be part of the way back.

John Vervaeke and Malcolm Guite Galahad and The Grail [https://amzn.to/4pxU93F]

John's platform website can be found here:

https://lectern.johnvervaeke.com/

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Luke Martin is joined by neurosurgeon, war veteran and author Dr Lee Warren for a powerful and deeply personal conversation on trauma, grief, the brain, and whether we can truly change how we think and live.

After performing over 200 brain surgeries in a warzone in Iraq, Lee returned home carrying the unseen wounds of PTSD. Years later, following the devastating loss of his son, he found himself confronting not just suffering, but the limits of a purely material understanding of the mind.

In this wide-ranging discussion, Lee explores the difference between brain and mind, why neuroscience alone may not explain consciousness, and how our thoughts can literally reshape our brains. Drawing on cutting-edge research, clinical experience and his Christian faith, he makes the case for what he calls “self brain surgery” — the idea that we can intentionally rewire our thinking to change our lives.

They discuss PTSD, grief, near-automatic thoughts, anxiety, ADHD, neuroplasticity, and the role of faith in recovery. Lee also reflects on suffering, the reliability of our emotions, and why learning to question our thoughts might be one of the most important skills we can develop.

A profound and practical conversation at the intersection of neuroscience, psychology and faith — and a hopeful vision for anyone feeling stuck, overwhelmed or defined by their past.

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In this conversation, we’re exploring one of the central claims of Christianity: the resurrection of Jesus. Joining us are two of the world’s leading New Testament scholars who approach the evidence from different angles. Dale Allison, former Richard J. Dearborn Professor of New Testament at Princeton Theological Seminary, is widely respected for his historical work on Jesus and early Christian belief, and is known for his careful, often cautious assessment of what historians can and cannot conclude about the resurrection. Read Dale's book here

Dr Michael Licona, Professor of Biblical Studies at Houston Christian University, is a leading defender of the historical case for Jesus’ bodily resurrection, arguing that the best explanation of the early eyewitness testimony and explosive growth of the Christian movement is that the resurrection really occurred. While both scholars agree on much of the historical data — including Jesus’ crucifixion and the early proclamation that he was raised — they differ on how confidently historians can infer a bodily resurrection, the role of supernatural explanations in historical reasoning, and how we should weigh experiences, visions, and empty-tomb traditions in reaching our conclusions. Read Mike's book, here

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Physicists Paul Davies and Jeremy England tackle one of science’s hardest puzzles: how did lifeless matter spark into life? In this classic Big Conversation from Unbelievable podcast the question is whether we need a new theory for the origin of life in the universe. Davies argues that “software” (information) is as crucial as chemistry, hinting at undiscovered laws that bind hardware to code. England explains how open systems and thermodynamics can drive matter to organise, adapt and harvest energy—perhaps seeding pre-Darwinian evolution. They trade insights on RNA world hypotheses, entropy, agency, and why the universe is so uncannily intelligible. Does a “life-favouring” cosmos imply purpose—or is natural process enough? Expect rigorous science, clear analogies and thoughtful theology.

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Can morality be objective without God? In this thought-provoking episode of Unbelievable, host John Nelson brings together Christian writer Caleb Woodbridge and Objectivist thinker Thomas Walker-Werth for a deep clash over reason, self-interest, human dignity and the basis of right and wrong. Is morality grounded in God’s nature, or can human reason alone discover universal moral truths? Drawing on Christian theology, Ayn Rand’s Objectivism, Aristotle, Pascal and questions of sacrifice, flourishing and human value, the conversation explores whether morality is something we receive, discover or construct. Along the way, they tackle original sin, rational self-interest, charity, suffering, obligation and the future vision each worldview offers for society. If you’ve ever wondered whether ethics needs God, or whether secular reason can carry the full weight of morality, this debate will give you plenty to chew on.

Thomas Walker-Werth is managing editor of The Objective Standard, a journal of culture and philosophy, and author of Reason for Living: A Rational Approach to Living Your Best Life. He also writes on science fiction as Thomas W. Anderson.

Caleb Woodbridge is a Christian writer, editor and cultural apologist. He writes at Bigger on the Inside and hosts the Imaginative Discipleship podcast.

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In this episode, Luke Martin speaks to psychiatrist, neuroscientist and bestselling author Iain McGilchrist about the ideas that have made him one of the most influential thinkers of our age.

Rod Dreher has said McGilchrist’s The Matter With Things “will come to be regarded as one of the seminal texts of the century”. In this conversation, McGilchrist explores the divided brain, the crisis of meaning in modern culture, the limits of reductionism, and the importance of recovering a deeper sense of the sacred.

He also reflects personally on music, beauty, Christianity, suffering, AI, and the kind of attention needed to live well in a fragmented world.

This is a searching, moving and intellectually rich interview on what it means to be human in a technological age.

For Luke Martin: follow on X https://x.com/luke_s_martin

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In this special episode of Unbelievable?, John Nelson speaks with Pastor Richmond Wandera in Kampala, Uganda. After his father was murdered, Richmond grew up in a slum community before his life was transformed through Compassion child sponsorship.

Now leading New Life Baptist Church and equipping thousands of pastors across East Africa, Richmond shares what’s changed for vulnerable children since COVID, from rising poverty and disrupted schooling to trafficking and online exploitation.

We also ask a difficult question: do international charities help or sometimes hinder? Richmond explains why partnerships through local churches can create lasting change for children and families. To find out more and sponsor a child, visit compassionuk.org/premier

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In this replay we bring together Christian Philosopher & Theologian Keith Ward and atheist Professor of Philosophy from King's College London, David Papinaeu to unpack the question "Is our mind more than matter"? Ward believes that the brain is accompanied by an immaterial mind, while Papinaeu believes the brain and the mind to be one in the same - with nothing immaterial about it. What do you think?

This episode originally aired on: 14 Jan 2012

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On Darwin Day, marking the birthday of Charles Darwin, we ask a question that continues to divide believers and sceptics alike: Does evolution point us toward God… or away from Him?

In this special episode of Premier Unbelievable? hosted by Andy Kind, molecular biologist and theologian Dr Denis Alexander joins philosopher and sceptical thinker John Catt for a thoughtful and robust conversation on the worldview implications of evolutionary theory.

Dr Alexander argues that evolutionary science is fully compatible with Christian faith and can be understood within a theistic framework. John Catt contends that Darwinian evolution has historically undercut traditional religious belief and sits more naturally within an atheistic worldview.

Together they explore:

Has evolution made God redundant? Is Darwinian natural selection inherently atheistic? Can divine purpose operate through undirected processes? What did Darwin himself believe? Why has evolution become such a cultural flashpoint?

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Luke Martin's special guest this week is Glen Scrivener talking about the surprising new openness to Christianity in Britain and beyond. Drawing on themes from his book The Air We Breathe. Glen explores why younger generations may be less gripped by old atheism debates and more drawn to questions of meaning, identity, masculinity, community and cultural roots. The conversation looks at whether the West is rediscovering its Christian foundations, why church can feel newly plausible to sceptics, and how public figures such as Joe Rogan and Andrew Huberman may be shifting the cultural mood. Luke and Glen also discuss revival language, institutional distrust, faith and science, and whether Christianity offers the moral grounding many modern people already assume. Finally, they tackle politics, Christian nationalism, Tim Keller’s “third way”, and how the church can respond wisely, courageously and evangelistically to this cultural moment.

For more of Glen: ⁨@SpeakLifeMedia⁩

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