The RE Podcast

Please send The RE Podcast a Text Message!https://iifl.org.uk/Faith's transformative power takes center stage as we welcome Dr. Jake Scott, Director of the Institute for the Impact of Faith in Life. Join us for an enlightening conversation on how faith is not only surviving but thriving amid growing secularism and religious diversity in the UK. Discover how historical influences and modern movements are shaping a society that values faith as a cornerstone for moral enrichment and societal good, particularly among younger generations who are championing a more active role for faith in public life.Unravel the complexities of religious plurality and tolerance as we explore the bridges built by education and personal interactions across diverse faith communities. From Christianity's historical impact on British society to the unique challenges and opportunities presented by Islam's growth, we dive into the vital role of faith literacy in reducing prejudice and promoting understanding. Our discussion examines the dynamic interplay between faith and societal acceptance, noting how exposure to different beliefs fosters an inclusive community and how people perceive faith as a force for good.Explore the multifaceted ways faith influences mental health, work environments, and even environmental stewardship. We spotlight faith's dual role in providing resilience while presenting challenges and how it shapes positive work ethics and community contributions. Our conversation delves into the environmental responsibilities embraced by various religious groups, highlighting the generational divide in climate anxiety and the power of faith as a coping mechanism. Tune in for a thought-provoking analysis of how religious education broadens our understanding of humanity, promising insights that could contribute to a more harmonious and inclusive world.Support the showFind out more;Twitter: @TheREPodcast1Insta: @TheREPodcastWebiste: www.therepodcast.co.uk

Please send The RE Podcast a Text Message!What happens at the intersection of faith and mental health.  Can a personal faith support you through this or create an extra layer to navigate as you try to reconcile your experience with a loving God. In this honest, authentic and hopeful conversation, I ask Claire Gough about her lived experience of being a Christian with depression, anxiety and disordered eating.  We consider how is depression and anxiety specifically difficult as a Christian, nisconceptions that Christians have about mental health, how she feels about seeing this as a spiritual battle, or a result of sin, the stigma of mental health in the Church, the use of medication in a Christian context, how it impacted her faith and relationship with God, how her faith,and the Bible, has helped her.Content advisory: We do make reference to suicide in this episode.Support the showFind out more;Twitter: @TheREPodcast1Insta: @TheREPodcastWebiste: www.therepodcast.co.uk

Please send The RE Podcast a Text Message!One of the things I love doing this podcast is it introduces me to things I didn't know were a thing but love learning about.  This chat with Rev Pippa White is so significant for many reasons.  For Christians, this is a real challenge to them for whether they are inhabiting the spaces of the younger generation. Jesus used the common communication tool of the time to communicate his message.For teachers, this is about The Great Commission in the 21st Century - go out into 'all' the world.  This now includes the digital world.But this is also about the nature of Theology and doctrine. Where is the authority  and accountability for the Theology that is being created and shared on Social Media?  Can you be a Christian in a disembodied state and what the advantages and disadvangtes of that?Plus, regardless of spending my teenage years in an Anglican Church and 23 years as an RE teacher, I learnt that I had no idea what the Anglican Church was!  But overall, it was just so lovely to talk to Pippa. She is a warm and delightful human being so please follow her on Social Media:TikTok - notapriestessPippa also mentioned some other accounts to follow including;Black liturgies https://www.instagram.com/blackliturgies/?hl=enRev Chris Lee https://www.instagram.com/revchris7/?hl=enThe book she mentioned was Karen O'Donnell - The Dark Wombhttps://scmpress.hymnsam.co.uk/books/9780334060932/the-dark-wombTo read more about Social Media Theology on Google Scholar;https://scholar.google.co.uk/scholar?hl=en&as_sdt=0%2C5&q=Social+media+theology&btnG=Friar TimeThrough meaningful interviews and heartfelt conversations, Friar Time, hosted by Fr....Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the showFind out more;Twitter: @TheREPodcast1Insta: @TheREPodcastWebiste: www.therepodcast.co.uk

Please send The RE Podcast a Text Message!This is one of my favurite episodes because of how powerful, emotional and authentic it was. I chat with former Islamist - Sohail Ahmed. His story is true, honest and relatable as he tells us what led him to become an extremist and what eventually led him to leave that life behind.  It's linked to identity, sexuality, atonement, purpose and belonging! It reveals the misconceptions regarding extremists, what to teach our children and what to look out for.  Sohail's grace and humanity is so evident in this interview and I know this will change the life of anyone who listens to it.  @SohailSNAhmedhttps://t.co/c8QkL17PaJFriar TimeThrough meaningful interviews and heartfelt conversations, Friar Time, hosted by Fr....Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the showFind out more;Twitter: @TheREPodcast1Insta: @TheREPodcastWebiste: www.therepodcast.co.uk

Please send The RE Podcast a Text Message!In rememberance of LGBTQIA History Month, we remember this GLORIOUS chat with Rev. Andy Fitchet, we look at the damage that traditional and literal interpretations of Genesis have had on women and LGBTQIA Christians. Andy talks openly about his own difficult journey and the dangerous practices of the Church to heal people of 'gayness'.  We discuss homosexuality, gender, sexism, hypocrisy. grinder and Jesus as a trans male.  Andy is so theologically knowledgeable and also has the most wonderful sense of joy in his faith (the bit about finding Adam a 'helper' is my personal favourite, or how there is a special section in hell for polyester wearers if the Bible is to be taken at face value!) If God is not binary and we were made in his image, then we are not binary!Friar TimeThrough meaningful interviews and heartfelt conversations, Friar Time, hosted by Fr....Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the showFind out more;Twitter: @TheREPodcast1Insta: @TheREPodcastWebiste: www.therepodcast.co.uk

Please send The RE Podcast a Text Message!To continue with the 4th Anniversary celebrations of the RE Podcast, I want to reincarnate some of my favourite episodes.To start here are the chats with the Reverend Steve Chalke from season 2, and the one on restorative justice from season 7.Not only is Steve one of my childgood heroes, I love what he says about love and salvation and homosexuality and crime and punishmentFriar TimeThrough meaningful interviews and heartfelt conversations, Friar Time, hosted by Fr....Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the showFind out more;Twitter: @TheREPodcast1Insta: @TheREPodcastWebiste: www.therepodcast.co.uk

Please send The RE Podcast a Text Message!In this episode I look back over the first 4 years of The RE Podcast using questions from you lot. And it's an occupational habit that RE teachers ask great questions! Giles Gough - What for you, is the best and worst part of podcasting?Karen Steele - What’s been your favourite RE podcast? Also, what inspired you to start; where did you find the courage?MissM - What's been a conversation you've had for your podcast that has altered something you teach?Dawn Cox - Does God exist?Catriona card - What memories do you have of RE lessons at school? Did they inspire you to become an RE teacher?Shammi Rahman - What’s special about the RE teaching community? What three fundamental? principles do you think that brings us together and unites us?Katie Gooch - What's it like being an RE 'celebrity' to both teachers and students?I also explain how and why I came to fall in love with RE!Support the showFind out more;Twitter: @TheREPodcast1Insta: @TheREPodcastWebiste: www.therepodcast.co.uk

Please send The RE Podcast a Text Message!This is my very special summary of season 12 which started with a timely episode about how to revise, a deep dive into sources of authority in Islam, humanist funerals, a chat with Mary myatt, one about the REC and the handbook, sentientism, fostering curiosity, fallacies in arguments, veganism, re resources, miracles, and gay marriage. My thanks to all my season 12 guests; Waqar Ahmedi and Zameer Hussain, Ed Finch, Mary Myatt, Ed Pawson and Sarah Lane Cawte, Jamie Woodhouse, Michelle St John, Heather Marshall, Karenza Passmore and the Rev John Squares.Support the showFind out more;Twitter: @TheREPodcast1Insta: @TheREPodcastWebiste: www.therepodcast.co.uk

Please send The RE Podcast a Text Message!This is my very special summary of season 11 of The RE Podcast which started with a mini series on the sermon on the mount, then a deep dive into the REQM, an episode about the Veda’s, one about Quakerism, a lovely chat with Lat Blaylock, another with the people at NATRE, a look at the national content standard, one about social Catholic teachings, a chat with the people from CTVC who bought us TrueTube and the Pilgrimage series and the season ended with my most popular episode to date - a chat with some year 11 students about their experience of Ramadan.My thanks to all my season 11 guests, Indy Nottage, Linda Ridge and Jake Womack, Molly Acharya, Matthew Guest,  Lat Blaylock, Fiona Moss and Katie Freeman, Kathryn wright and Deborah Weston, Oli Aston, Alison Green, Bob Ayers and Dorcas Woods, Areez, Alisha and Nila.Support the showFind out more;Twitter: @TheREPodcast1Insta: @TheREPodcastWebiste: www.therepodcast.co.uk

Please send The RE Podcast a Text Message!This is my very special summary of Season 10 of The RE Podcast, where I went to Israel, looked at assessment in primary RE, talked to Dawn Cox about her book ‘Every RE lesson counts’ then did two mini series: one on losing and finding religion and another on the parables of Jesus. I ended the season looking at paganism. So this has been another incredible season. My thanks to all my guests in season 10 my fellow pilgrims to Israel including Dawn Cox and Katie Freeman, Gillian Georgio and her primary assessment experts, Clare Campbell, Neil McKain, Leanne, Giles Gough, Fiona Spargo Mabbs, James Holt and Tara and Linda for some festive witchy goodness. Enjoy these taster clips from each episode in case you missed any!Support the showFind out more;Twitter: @TheREPodcast1Insta: @TheREPodcastWebiste: www.therepodcast.co.uk

Please send The RE Podcast a Text Message!Many of your will know the cross bench peer, Lord Bilimoria.  With his Zoroastrian parsi background, his passion for RE and his success in business, I knew this would be a fantastic episode and it did not disppoint.  Lord Bilimoria was open and generous and explained why RE is such an important subject to make our students work ready, not only in terms of critical thinking but also in terms of compassion and building trust.We cover the need for war, the important of art and music, a little but about the Zoroastrian religion.My favourite quote which I misquote in the episode is 'the price of freedom isn't free.'Please find below links to his open letter article in the business times as to why business leaders must support RE in schools, as well as the video he made for Culham St Gabrielhttps://www.rethinkre.org/ready-for-work-campaignhttps://www.managementtoday.co.uk/why-business-leaders-back-religious-education-schools/opinion/article/1867687https://www.cstg.org.uk/campaigns/promotional-film-collection/Friar TimeThrough meaningful interviews and heartfelt conversations, Friar Time, hosted by Fr....Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the showFind out more;Twitter: @TheREPodcast1Insta: @TheREPodcastWebiste: www.therepodcast.co.uk

Please send The RE Podcast a Text Message!This is certainly not a comprehensive account of Sikhi, but what I hope this is is a brief overview to help you feel more confident in teaching this beautiful way of thinking.If you are new to teaching Sikhi and want a starting point, or you are a new RE teacher, or someone embarking on training to be an RE teacher, then this may be a good jumping off point. Or maybe you want to direct your students to this episode if Sikhi is on your syllabus or curriculum.This episode goes through;The history of Sikhi and Guru NanakBeliefs about God and the Mool MantarThe Ten GurusGuru Gobind Singh and the formation of the KhalsaThe Five KsThe GurdwaraFestivals of Vaisakhi and DiwaliLink to Head of RE Job at Harris City Academy Crystal Palacehttps://www.harriscareers.org.uk/200/search-our-vacancies/career/44046/head-of-religious-education?type=permanent&academy=Harris%20City%20Academy%20Crystal%20Palace&job_alert=falseFriar TimeThrough meaningful interviews and heartfelt conversations, Friar Time, hosted by Fr....Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the showFind out more;Twitter: @TheREPodcast1Insta: @TheREPodcastWebiste: www.therepodcast.co.uk

Please send The RE Podcast a Text Message!In the wake of the far right riots that are happening across the country in August 2024, I talk to Theos Director, author, broadcaster and Canon Chine McDonald about her upbringing, Christian faith and why we need a book to remind us that God us not a white man, or even a man. This is about reframing our unconscious bias to create a better tomorrow and how we can do this.  Chine makes a few references throughout the conversation - please find the links below God is not a white man by Chine McDonaldhttps://www.hachette.co.uk/titles/chine-mcdonald/god-is-not-a-white-man/9781529349078/What white people can do next by Emma Dabirihttps://www.penguin.co.uk/books/443684/what-white-people-can-do-next-by-dabiri-emma/9780141996738The Shack (movie)https://www.lionsgate.com/movies/the-shackLemonade (Full Album) by Beyoncehttps://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gHYwerZbMS4Unmaking Mary - The Myth of Divine Motherhood by Chine McDonaldhttps://www.chinemcdonald.com/blog/coming-in-2025-unmaking-mary-the-myth-of-divine-motherhoodFriar TimeThrough meaningful interviews and heartfelt conversations, Friar Time, hosted by Fr....Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the showFind out more;Twitter: @TheREPodcast1Insta: @TheREPodcastWebiste: www.therepodcast.co.uk

Please send The RE Podcast a Text Message!I wrote and recorded this episode in August 2024 when everytime I caught the news there was warnings of another far right riot.  While my initial reaction was one of anger and fear, the RE teacher in me took a step backwards.  Those are the same emotions which fuel the far right. So why am I allowed to be angry if they are not?  Why are they wrong and I am right? How do we even know what is right or wrong in a pluralist society?  In this episode I look at the history of ethics throughout human evolutions, both from religious and non-religious worldviews, and then I look at three Ethical Theories;DeontologyUtilitarianismSituation Ethics.I don't know if the episode answers all our questions about morality, but I hope it serves as an overview of ethical thought for those embarking on teaching or about  to study ethics.Friar TimeThrough meaningful interviews and heartfelt conversations, Friar Time, hosted by Fr....Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the showFind out more;Twitter: @TheREPodcast1Insta: @TheREPodcastWebiste: www.therepodcast.co.uk

Please send The RE Podcast a Text Message!In 2021, the Methodist Church voted 692-51 in favour of gay marriages.  Two years later, the first gay marriage was performed in a Methodist Church - I think they were expecting more of a rush!  In this episode I chat to Rev John Squares who performed the ceremony between John and Les. https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/videos/cqll85zq5v0oWe discuss how gay marriage can be compatible with the Christian faith but more importantly, the need to love yourself before you can love others!We also discuss the danger in extreme homephobic view points so a warning not to listen to this episode in front of young children or anyone who might be upset by it's content.  Specifically we mention Matthew Shepard;https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-us-canada-45968606Friar TimeThrough meaningful interviews and heartfelt conversations, Friar Time, hosted by Fr....Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the showFind out more;Twitter: @TheREPodcast1Insta: @TheREPodcastWebiste: www.therepodcast.co.uk

Please send The RE Podcast a Text Message!What are miracles? Do they happen? Are there any other explanations for them? Does believing in miracles open you up to being manipulated by faith healers? Do the presence of miracles in different religions cancel each other out?I look into miracles. We look at Hume, Aquinas, Flew, RF Holland and Swinburne to help me do this.I make reference to Miracles for Sale - the Derren Brown documentary which you can watch here.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iuP5uOI7Xwc&t=3281sFriar TimeThrough meaningful interviews and heartfelt conversations, Friar Time, hosted by Fr....Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the showFind out more;Twitter: @TheREPodcast1Insta: @TheREPodcastWebiste: www.therepodcast.co.uk

Please send The RE Podcast a Text Message!Karenza Passmore has been a valued member of the RE Community for well over 30 years.  In her role in the North East Religious Resources Centre, she has emersed herself in RE resources so she is here so offer some of her insights.Karenza is a passionate advocate for RE combining experience with Neuroscience to offer inspiration to all of us classroom teachers.Below are some of the links of things that Karenza mentionsRE Hubshttps://www.re-hubs.uk/get-involved/resource-centres/Areiachttps://www.areiac.org.uk/join-areiacGill Vaiseyhttps://www.booksatpress.co.uk/religiouseducation.htmlRE Today membershiphttps://www.retoday.org.uk/school-support/natre-membership/Please get in touch and let Karenza and I know what your one take away is from our episode!@Karenza_RRCFriar TimeThrough meaningful interviews and heartfelt conversations, Friar Time, hosted by Fr....Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the showFind out more;Twitter: @TheREPodcast1Insta: @TheREPodcastWebiste: www.therepodcast.co.uk

Please send The RE Podcast a Text Message!In this episode I talk to former CPS Barrister Michelle St John from VinE, and Heather Marshal from Edgehill University in Birmingham about Veganism as a worldview and how we can teach it in the classroom. We discuss;What veganism is and why it is an important topic to discuss in the 21st century, why and how we should teach it, including how it is a unifying factor between religious and non-religious worldviews.There were lots of places mentioned to find some great resourceswww.teachvine.orghttps://www.animalaid.org.uk/education/https://climatehealers.org/https://plantbasedhealthprofessionals.com/https://www.cowspiracy.com/https://gamechangersmovie.com/What the healthhttps://www.dominionmovement.com/watchhttps://eating2extinction.com/https://animal-interfaith-alliance.com/https://www.edgehill.ac.uk/?s=veganhttps://www.natre.org.uk/about-natre/projects/spirited-arts/spirited-arts-gallery/2023/?ThemeID=109https://www.laudatosi.org/the-letter/encyclical-letter/https://www.almizan.earth/Friar TimeThrough meaningful interviews and heartfelt conversations, Friar Time, hosted by Fr....Listen on: Apple Podcasts   SpotifySupport the showFind out more;Twitter: @TheREPodcast1Insta: @TheREPodcastWebiste: www.therepodcast.co.uk

Please send The RE Podcast a Text Message!I think one of the trump cards of RE is our ability to teach critical thinking.  In the wake of a general election, with the diverse voices and opinions our young people are exposed to, and as they embark on relationships, it feels that an ability to spot flaws in people's arguments is vital.  In this episode, I explain what I mean by 'flaw' or 'fallacy and break down into easily accessible chunks a few of the most common fallacies;Post hoc ergo proctor hoc - after this, therefore because of thisReductio ad absurdum - reducing something to it's most ridiculous extreme to try and prove an opinion is wrongSlippery slope - arguing that one event will evetually lead to something catestrophicAd hominem - when you can't find anything wrong with someone's argument so start attacking the personFalse dichotomy - when someone assumes there are only two optionsStraw man fallacy where you slightly misrepresent someone's argument to make it look like it is flawedCircular arguments where your premise is assumed to be true and therefore is used to prove your conclusion isNon-sequiter so where a conclusion doesn't logically follow a premiseFallacy of composition where you assume that something that is true for an individual is also true for the wholeFalse authority - where you use an authority figure who isn't an expert to prove a pointConfirmation bias - where you look for evidence to support what you already believe.I apply these fallacies to philosophical arguments and modern day dilemmas and talk about how to overcome them.I really hope this is a helpful episode that will help you equip your students for life in the 21st century.Support the showFind out more;Twitter: @TheREPodcast1Insta: @TheREPodcastWebiste: www.therepodcast.co.uk

Please send The RE Podcast a Text Message!I have been thinking a lot recently about the Science of Learning and what that looks like in the RE classroom.  I think we have a lot to learn from educational research.  But what I am noticing is that children don't seem to LOVE learning, in fact some seem to resent it.  I have been trying to work out why.  Like many things, I think it is multifaceted with social and political factors, but what I am more interested in is solutions.  HOW do we encourage children to LOVE learning? Children are naturally curious and love to ask WHY  - and the RE classroom is such an ideal place to cultivate their curiousity and encourage them to be like they were when they were younger.  So I was thinking about HOW we can cultivate curiosity in our classrooms.  This episode is the result of my thinking.I'd love to hear how YOU  cultivate curiosity in your classroom so please get in touch!Support the showFind out more;Twitter: @TheREPodcast1Insta: @TheREPodcastWebiste: www.therepodcast.co.uk