Susanna Wesley Foundation Thu, 05 Mar 2026 04:42:37 -0500 https://susannawesleyfoundation.buzzsprout.com en-gb © 2026 Susanna Wesley Foundation yes 1785a27a-23b4-5621-8ee3-ff1f9c6b8482 Susanna Wesley Foundation episodic false Listen to conversations between theologians, ministers, practitioners, artists and more around our annual themes that include flourishing, embodied faith and crafting hope. 
Intro/outro music by Joseph McDade

]]> Buzzsprout (https://www.buzzsprout.com) Susanna Wesley Foundation https://storage.buzzsprout.com/m7pz03hbloxbu38fh2wstrpl4fw8?.jpg Susanna Wesley Foundation Challenging Hope: surviving conflict, building peace Challenging Hope: surviving conflict, building peace This conversation is an extension of one that began at our annual conference in June 2024. Dr Emma Pavey is once again joined by: 

  • Dr Oded Adomi Leshem, peace activist and Senior Research Associate at Hebrew University; and 
  • Dr Munyurangabo Benda, Tutor at Queens Theological Foundation, Birmingham.

Find out more about the guests and the conference here.
You can also find a transcript of this episode at that link.

]]> This conversation is an extension of one that began at our annual conference in June 2024. Dr Emma Pavey is once again joined by: 

  • Dr Oded Adomi Leshem, peace activist and Senior Research Associate at Hebrew University; and 
  • Dr Munyurangabo Benda, Tutor at Queens Theological Foundation, Birmingham.

Find out more about the guests and the conference here.
You can also find a transcript of this episode at that link.

]]> Susanna Wesley Foundation Buzzsprout-15539615 Tue, 06 Aug 2024 16:00:00 +0100 3225 3 10 full false The Next Right Step: community, resilience and death The Next Right Step: community, resilience and death In this podcast episode, part of a mini-series on death, dying and afterlife, guest host Lia Shimada is joined by: 

  • The Revd Dr Alex Wimberly
  • Ruth Jampel

who talk about practices around death in their community, reflecting particularly on the impact of COVID.

Find out more about the participants here.
You can also find a transcript of this episode at that link here.

]]> In this podcast episode, part of a mini-series on death, dying and afterlife, guest host Lia Shimada is joined by: 

  • The Revd Dr Alex Wimberly
  • Ruth Jampel

who talk about practices around death in their community, reflecting particularly on the impact of COVID.

Find out more about the participants here.
You can also find a transcript of this episode at that link here.

]]> Susanna Wesley Foundation Buzzsprout-15150236 Tue, 28 May 2024 16:00:00 +0100 3140 3 9 full false Beauty and Sorrow: the afterlife and a "good death" Beauty and Sorrow: the afterlife and a "good death" In this podcast episode, part of a mini-series on death, dying and afterlife, Emma Pavey is joined by: 

  • The Revd Prof June Boyce-Tillman

who offers her own personal and unique perspective on death and the afterlife, and how this impacts her practice as an Anglican priest.

Find out more about June here.
You can also find a transcript of this episode at that link.

]]> In this podcast episode, part of a mini-series on death, dying and afterlife, Emma Pavey is joined by: 

  • The Revd Prof June Boyce-Tillman

who offers her own personal and unique perspective on death and the afterlife, and how this impacts her practice as an Anglican priest.

Find out more about June here.
You can also find a transcript of this episode at that link.

]]> Susanna Wesley Foundation Buzzsprout-14737613 Thu, 21 Mar 2024 16:00:00 +0000 2390 3 8 full false Into the Earth and Into the Light: practices around death and bereavement Into the Earth and Into the Light: practices around death and bereavement In this conversation, part of a mini-series on death, dying and afterlife, Emma Pavey is joined by: 

  • Poppy Mardall, Funeral Director and Founder of Poppy's Funerals; and 
  • The Revd John Lampard, Methodist Minister, who researches death and disposal practices.

Find out more about the guests and download a discussion guide for the episode here.
You can also find a transcript of this episode at that link.

]]> In this conversation, part of a mini-series on death, dying and afterlife, Emma Pavey is joined by: 

  • Poppy Mardall, Funeral Director and Founder of Poppy's Funerals; and 
  • The Revd John Lampard, Methodist Minister, who researches death and disposal practices.

Find out more about the guests and download a discussion guide for the episode here.
You can also find a transcript of this episode at that link.

]]> Susanna Wesley Foundation Buzzsprout-14651739 Fri, 08 Mar 2024 10:00:00 +0000 4295 3 7 full false Naming the Grace: faith learning in church communities Naming the Grace: faith learning in church communities In this conversation, part of our Crafting Hope series, Emma Pavey is joined by: 

  • Prof Clare Watkins, Professor of Christian Faith and Practice at the University of Roehampton; and 
  • The Revd Simon Sutcliffe, Learning and Development Officer for the Methodist Church.

Find out more about the guests and download a discussion guide for the episode here.
You can also find a transcript of this episode at that link.

]]> In this conversation, part of our Crafting Hope series, Emma Pavey is joined by: 

  • Prof Clare Watkins, Professor of Christian Faith and Practice at the University of Roehampton; and 
  • The Revd Simon Sutcliffe, Learning and Development Officer for the Methodist Church.

Find out more about the guests and download a discussion guide for the episode here.
You can also find a transcript of this episode at that link.

]]> Susanna Wesley Foundation Buzzsprout-14515291 Fri, 16 Feb 2024 10:00:00 +0000 3753 3 6 full false The Power of your Own Voice: community arts, social justice and crafting hope The Power of your Own Voice: community arts, social justice and crafting hope In this conversation, part of our Crafting Hope series, Emma Pavey is joined by: 

  • Gauri Taylor Nayar, Director of the Cardiff Methodist Community Choir; and 
  • Rachel Griffiths, Participative Theatre Maker, working with communities facing injustice.

Find out more about the guests and download a discussion guide for the episode here.
You can also find a transcript of this episode at that link.

]]> In this conversation, part of our Crafting Hope series, Emma Pavey is joined by: 

  • Gauri Taylor Nayar, Director of the Cardiff Methodist Community Choir; and 
  • Rachel Griffiths, Participative Theatre Maker, working with communities facing injustice.

Find out more about the guests and download a discussion guide for the episode here.
You can also find a transcript of this episode at that link.

]]> Susanna Wesley Foundation Buzzsprout-13977534 Wed, 15 Nov 2023 14:00:00 +0000 3561 3 5 full false The No Normal: neurodiversity and youth in the Church The No Normal: neurodiversity and youth in the Church In this conversation, part of our Crafting Hope series, Emma Pavey is joined by: 

  • James Carver is the Youth President of the Methodist Church; and 
  • James Blackhall is a Lay Worker and Local Preacher as well as working for an interfaith charity facilitating education events for Christians.

Find out more about the guests and download a discussion guide for the episode here.
You can also find a transcript of this episode at that link.

]]> In this conversation, part of our Crafting Hope series, Emma Pavey is joined by: 

  • James Carver is the Youth President of the Methodist Church; and 
  • James Blackhall is a Lay Worker and Local Preacher as well as working for an interfaith charity facilitating education events for Christians.

Find out more about the guests and download a discussion guide for the episode here.
You can also find a transcript of this episode at that link.

]]> Susanna Wesley Foundation Buzzsprout-13420973 Thu, 17 Aug 2023 09:00:00 +0100 2225 3 4 full false The Real World: Intergenerational and technological balance in a climate crisis The Real World: Intergenerational and technological balance in a climate crisis In this conversation, part of our Crafting Hope series and the third in our trilogy of episodes around the climate emergency, Emma Pavey is joined by: 

  • Dr Elin Kelsey, a leading spokesperson, scholar and educator in the area of evidence-based hope; 
  • Abhay Singh Sachal, Canadian Gen Z climate activist, founder of Break the Divide, and advisor for Faith for Earth Initiative’s Youth Council run by the UN Environment Programme; and 
  • Jonathan Nobrega, MA student in Environmental Humanities at the University of Roehampton, who works with the London Wetlands Centre.

Find out more about the guests and download a discussion guide for the episode here.

]]> In this conversation, part of our Crafting Hope series and the third in our trilogy of episodes around the climate emergency, Emma Pavey is joined by: 

  • Dr Elin Kelsey, a leading spokesperson, scholar and educator in the area of evidence-based hope; 
  • Abhay Singh Sachal, Canadian Gen Z climate activist, founder of Break the Divide, and advisor for Faith for Earth Initiative’s Youth Council run by the UN Environment Programme; and 
  • Jonathan Nobrega, MA student in Environmental Humanities at the University of Roehampton, who works with the London Wetlands Centre.

Find out more about the guests and download a discussion guide for the episode here.

]]> Susanna Wesley Foundation Buzzsprout-13222230 Fri, 14 Jul 2023 10:00:00 +0100 3244 3 3 full false Listening to echoes of hope: Evidence-based climate stories and a hopepunk God Listening to echoes of hope: Evidence-based climate stories and a hopepunk God In this conversation, part of our Crafting Hope series, Emma Pavey is joined by Dr Elin Kelsey, a leading spokesperson, scholar and educator in the area of evidence-based hope, and Dr Steven van den Heuvel, Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at Evangelische Theologische Faculteit & Director of the Institute of Leadership and Social Ethics.
Find out more about the guests, and download a discussion guide for the episode here.

]]> In this conversation, part of our Crafting Hope series, Emma Pavey is joined by Dr Elin Kelsey, a leading spokesperson, scholar and educator in the area of evidence-based hope, and Dr Steven van den Heuvel, Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at Evangelische Theologische Faculteit & Director of the Institute of Leadership and Social Ethics.
Find out more about the guests, and download a discussion guide for the episode here.

]]> Susanna Wesley Foundation Buzzsprout-13051061 Fri, 16 Jun 2023 10:00:00 +0100 3783 3 2 full false What is in your hands? Crafting hope with churches in a climate crisis What is in your hands? Crafting hope with churches in a climate crisis In this conversation, part of our Crafting Hope series, Emma Pavey is joined by Hannah Fremont-Brown, Campaigns and Church Engagement Officer at the Joint Public Issues Team (JPIT) and Dr Steven van den Heuvel, Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at Evangelische Theologische Faculteit & Director of the Institute of Leadership and Social Ethics.
Find out more about the guests, and download a discussion guide for the episode here.

]]> In this conversation, part of our Crafting Hope series, Emma Pavey is joined by Hannah Fremont-Brown, Campaigns and Church Engagement Officer at the Joint Public Issues Team (JPIT) and Dr Steven van den Heuvel, Associate Professor of Systematic Theology at Evangelische Theologische Faculteit & Director of the Institute of Leadership and Social Ethics.
Find out more about the guests, and download a discussion guide for the episode here.

]]> Susanna Wesley Foundation Buzzsprout-12873408 Thu, 18 May 2023 14:00:00 +0100 2102 3 1 full false Meditative movement: running and embodied faith Meditative movement: running and embodied faith In this episode, the Revd Trey Hall, Director of Evangelism and Growth at the Methodist Church, and Gavin Mart, a pioneer Minister and PhD student at the University of Roehampton, to talk with SWF host Emma Pavey about running - long distance running in particular - and embodied faith.

]]> In this episode, the Revd Trey Hall, Director of Evangelism and Growth at the Methodist Church, and Gavin Mart, a pioneer Minister and PhD student at the University of Roehampton, to talk with SWF host Emma Pavey about running - long distance running in particular - and embodied faith.

]]> Susanna Wesley Foundation Buzzsprout-12225396 Fri, 10 Feb 2023 14:00:00 +0000 2937 2 5 full false African Christianity in the UK: Pentecostalism and embodied faith African Christianity in the UK: Pentecostalism and embodied faith In this episode we welcome guest host Dr Harvey Kwiyani, a Malawian theologian based in Britain who is CEO of Global Connections and Director of Missio Africanus. He joins Dr Sheila Akomiah-Conteh, a Ghanaian scholar living in Scotland who works in statistical analysis for Brendan Research and Christ Theological College, and Dr Naar M'fundisi-Holloway, originally from Zambia, an Action Researcher with the Salvation Army,  to talk about the shape of African Christianity in the UK, focusing on Pentecostalism, revival and the underpinning role of women in bringing about God's multicultural realm.

This episode was recorded in 2021, part of the 'Embodied Faith' series.  Biographical details may have changed since the descriptions in the recording.

]]> In this episode we welcome guest host Dr Harvey Kwiyani, a Malawian theologian based in Britain who is CEO of Global Connections and Director of Missio Africanus. He joins Dr Sheila Akomiah-Conteh, a Ghanaian scholar living in Scotland who works in statistical analysis for Brendan Research and Christ Theological College, and Dr Naar M'fundisi-Holloway, originally from Zambia, an Action Researcher with the Salvation Army,  to talk about the shape of African Christianity in the UK, focusing on Pentecostalism, revival and the underpinning role of women in bringing about God's multicultural realm.

This episode was recorded in 2021, part of the 'Embodied Faith' series.  Biographical details may have changed since the descriptions in the recording.

]]> Susanna Wesley Foundation Buzzsprout-12225349 Fri, 10 Feb 2023 13:00:00 +0000 3812 2 4 full false If you want to go far, go together: solidarity and embodied faith If you want to go far, go together: solidarity and embodied faith SWF host Emma Pavey is joined by the Revd Luke Larner, Priest-in-Charge at St Andrews, St Albans, and DTh student at the University of Roehampton, and the Revd Farai Mapamula, Methodist Minister in Birmingham, to talk about class, race, solidarity and social justice.

]]> SWF host Emma Pavey is joined by the Revd Luke Larner, Priest-in-Charge at St Andrews, St Albans, and DTh student at the University of Roehampton, and the Revd Farai Mapamula, Methodist Minister in Birmingham, to talk about class, race, solidarity and social justice.

]]> Susanna Wesley Foundation Buzzsprout-12225054 Fri, 10 Feb 2023 13:00:00 +0000 4819 2 3 full false Out of the ordinary: creation and embodied faith Out of the ordinary: creation and embodied faith SWF host Emma Pavey chats with Dr Nick Mayhew Smith, author and Deputy Head of Southlands College at the University of Roehampton, and former Methodist Church Youth President Phoebe Parkin about creation care, climate justice and their faith as fellow creatures.

This episode was recorded in 2021, part of the 'Embodied Faith' series.  Biographical details may have changed since the descriptions in the recording.

]]> SWF host Emma Pavey chats with Dr Nick Mayhew Smith, author and Deputy Head of Southlands College at the University of Roehampton, and former Methodist Church Youth President Phoebe Parkin about creation care, climate justice and their faith as fellow creatures.

This episode was recorded in 2021, part of the 'Embodied Faith' series.  Biographical details may have changed since the descriptions in the recording.

]]> Susanna Wesley Foundation Buzzsprout-12225031 Fri, 10 Feb 2023 12:00:00 +0000 3492 2 2 full false See what the Light is doing: photography and embodied faith See what the Light is doing: photography and embodied faith We welcomed Rev Dr Thomas Jay Oord,  theologian/author, Director of both a doctoral program at Northwind Theological Seminary, USA, and the Center for Open and Relational Theology, and the Rev'd Morna Simpson, Rector of the Yardley Hastings Benefice, Peterborough, to talk with Emma Pavey about their photography practice and how it intersects with their theology. 
We are also joined by Tom's dog Ivy who has things to say at various points.

This episode was recorded in 2021, part of the 'Embodied Faith' series. Biographical details may have changed since the descriptions in the recording.

]]> We welcomed Rev Dr Thomas Jay Oord,  theologian/author, Director of both a doctoral program at Northwind Theological Seminary, USA, and the Center for Open and Relational Theology, and the Rev'd Morna Simpson, Rector of the Yardley Hastings Benefice, Peterborough, to talk with Emma Pavey about their photography practice and how it intersects with their theology. 
We are also joined by Tom's dog Ivy who has things to say at various points.

This episode was recorded in 2021, part of the 'Embodied Faith' series. Biographical details may have changed since the descriptions in the recording.

]]> Susanna Wesley Foundation Buzzsprout-12224842 Fri, 10 Feb 2023 12:00:00 +0000 3031 2 1 full false People, poverty and power: bending toward justice People, poverty and power: bending toward justice In this conversation, Dr Justin Thacker, former Director of Church Action for Tax Justice, and Lucy Zwolinska, former Community Development Worker for the Methodist Church who works for the Gateshead Poverty Truth Commission, talk with Emma Pavey about their work around poverty and building relationships. 

This episode was recorded in 2020 as part of the 'Flourishing' series - biographical details may have changed since the descriptions in the recording. 

]]> In this conversation, Dr Justin Thacker, former Director of Church Action for Tax Justice, and Lucy Zwolinska, former Community Development Worker for the Methodist Church who works for the Gateshead Poverty Truth Commission, talk with Emma Pavey about their work around poverty and building relationships. 

This episode was recorded in 2020 as part of the 'Flourishing' series - biographical details may have changed since the descriptions in the recording. 

]]> Susanna Wesley Foundation Buzzsprout-12224781 Fri, 10 Feb 2023 11:00:00 +0000 3856 1 5 full false Flourishing, glory and the smile: unmasking joy Flourishing, glory and the smile: unmasking joy In this conversation, Dr Ash Cocksworth talks with Sue Miller about his theological research into glory and the significance of the smile.

This episode was recorded in 2020, part of the 'Flourishing' series.

]]> In this conversation, Dr Ash Cocksworth talks with Sue Miller about his theological research into glory and the significance of the smile.

This episode was recorded in 2020, part of the 'Flourishing' series.

]]> Susanna Wesley Foundation Buzzsprout-12224766 Fri, 10 Feb 2023 11:00:00 +0000 2378 1 4 full false Transitioning Church: Queer stories of cost, risk and gift Transitioning Church: Queer stories of cost, risk and gift This conversation welcomes Father Jarel Robinson-Brown, Assistant Curate at St Botolph-without-Aldgate and Holy Trinity Minories, London, and the Revd Dr Karl Rutlidge, a Methodist Minister in Kingston-upon-Thames, and is hosted by SWF's Emma Pavey. We talk about Jarel and Karl's contributions to the book 'The Book of Queer Prophets', the cost of ministry and the gift of the queer perspective.

This episode was recorded in 2020, part of the 'Flourishing' series. Biographical details may have changed since the descriptions in the recording.

]]> This conversation welcomes Father Jarel Robinson-Brown, Assistant Curate at St Botolph-without-Aldgate and Holy Trinity Minories, London, and the Revd Dr Karl Rutlidge, a Methodist Minister in Kingston-upon-Thames, and is hosted by SWF's Emma Pavey. We talk about Jarel and Karl's contributions to the book 'The Book of Queer Prophets', the cost of ministry and the gift of the queer perspective.

This episode was recorded in 2020, part of the 'Flourishing' series. Biographical details may have changed since the descriptions in the recording.

]]> Susanna Wesley Foundation Buzzsprout-12224753 Fri, 10 Feb 2023 11:00:00 +0000 3697 1 3 full false Neurodiversity and disability in the church: gifts and needs Neurodiversity and disability in the church: gifts and needs SWF host Sue Miller welcomes Fiona MacMillan, Chair of the Disability Advisory Group at St Martin-in-the-Fields, London, and the Revd Rachel Noel, vicar at St James Church in Pokesdown, Dorset, for a conversation about neurodiversity and disability in the church before lockdown, during lockdown and moving forwards.

This episode was recorded in 2020, part of the 'Flourishing' series. Biographical details may have changed since the descriptions in the recording.




]]> SWF host Sue Miller welcomes Fiona MacMillan, Chair of the Disability Advisory Group at St Martin-in-the-Fields, London, and the Revd Rachel Noel, vicar at St James Church in Pokesdown, Dorset, for a conversation about neurodiversity and disability in the church before lockdown, during lockdown and moving forwards.

This episode was recorded in 2020, part of the 'Flourishing' series. Biographical details may have changed since the descriptions in the recording.




]]> Susanna Wesley Foundation Buzzsprout-12224677 Fri, 10 Feb 2023 11:00:00 +0000 2518 1 2 full false Access, Power, Lament: Going forwards with church after lockdown Access, Power, Lament: Going forwards with church after lockdown SWF host Emma Pavey welcomes Cristina Gangemi, Director of The Kairos Forum, a consultancy for cognitively and intellectually disabled people, and Jessica Dalton, a DTh student at the University of Roehampton and a Development Officer with the Methodist Church, to discuss experiences of church during lockdown, what this can teach us about access and power, and explore what the church should consider following the lockdown experience.

This episode was recorded in 2020, part of the 'Flourishing' series.  Biographical details may have changed since the descriptions in the recording.

]]> SWF host Emma Pavey welcomes Cristina Gangemi, Director of The Kairos Forum, a consultancy for cognitively and intellectually disabled people, and Jessica Dalton, a DTh student at the University of Roehampton and a Development Officer with the Methodist Church, to discuss experiences of church during lockdown, what this can teach us about access and power, and explore what the church should consider following the lockdown experience.

This episode was recorded in 2020, part of the 'Flourishing' series.  Biographical details may have changed since the descriptions in the recording.

]]> Susanna Wesley Foundation Buzzsprout-12224644 Fri, 10 Feb 2023 11:00:00 +0000 3467 1 1 full false