Living Out Podcast

Welcome to the Living Out Podcast - helping people, churches and society talk about faith and sexuality. Join us to hear about life as a same-sex attracted or gay Christian, and God's good news on sexuality for every single one of us. 

Simon Dalton, a pastor from the Welsh valleys, and Natalie Williams, chief executive of Jubilee+, dive deep into the essence of friendships. They discuss the importance of vulnerability and intentionality in maintaining long-term bonds. Simon shares how life changes can challenge friendships, while Natalie reflects on how differing experiences of singleness can foster empathy. The duo highlights the grace found in friendship and shares practical tips for cultivating deep connections, especially in ministry. Their conversation is both heartfelt and insightful!

Kevin Morris, creator and host of the Professional Third Wheel podcast, dives into the complexities of friendship dynamics, particularly between single and married friends. He shares humorous anecdotes about third-wheeling and discusses how distance and changing life circumstances can challenge relationships. The conversation also touches on the importance of vulnerability, the art of giving and receiving hard truths, and the need for reconciliation after conflict. Kevin highlights practical steps to navigate emotional hurdles and strengthen friendships.

John Wyatt, a former medic and medical ethicist, chats about fostering healthy intergenerational friendships and reflects on his deep bond with John Stott. He highlights the importance of non-transactional support and offers insights on why older friends bring invaluable wisdom. The discussion dives into overcoming cultural suspicion of cross-generational ties and shares practical habits for strengthening friendships, emphasizing time, vulnerability, and balancing light-hearted banter with deeper conversations.

Tom Parsons, a dedicated vicar, author, and father, explores the deep connections of friendship in light of faith. He shares how his friendship with Adam blossomed during the pandemic, emphasizing the role of personality differences in enriching their bond. Their conversation highlights the value of hospitality, intentionality in nurturing friendships, and how shared ministry fosters deeper connections. The discussion also underscores how friendships reflect God's unwavering love and aid in personal growth, making God's presence tangible in everyday life.

Join Katherine Brown, a contributor to Kaleidoscope and member of the Being Human team at the Evangelical Alliance, as she explores the depth of intimacy in friendships. She challenges common misconceptions linking intimacy solely to sex. Katherine shares personal stories about cultivating deeper connections and navigates the risks involved, including jealousy and dependency. Practical tips for building intimate friendships are discussed, emphasizing the importance of shared experiences and clear communication. Dive into the nuances of friendship across different life stages!

Vaughan Roberts, Rector of St Ebbe's Church in Oxford and author of True Friendship, discusses how friendship with Jesus transforms our relationship with others. He highlights the intimacy and transformative power of Jesus as a friend while addressing challenges like honesty and sacrificial love. The conversation explores practical steps to tackle friendship deficits, including proactive conversations and managing inner circles. Roberts also emphasizes the value of friendships with non-Christians and maintaining a Jesus-centered perspective in close relationships.

How can we be friends with God? What does that actually look like in daily life? Does being friends with God mean we don't need human friends? With Phil Knox - evangelist, missiologist and author of 'The Best of Friends' - we're kicking off our series on friendship thinking about what friendship is, why it matters, and some top tips for cultivating friendships with God and with other people. Resources mentioned and relatedEvangelical Alliance The Best of Friends Phil Nox Billy No Mates Max Dickins The Four Loves C. S. Lewis Friends Robin Dunbar True Friendship Vaughan Roberts (read our review here) Spiritual Friendship Aelred  Crossing to Safety Wallace Stegner Transforming Friendship John Wyatt (read our review here) Jesus on Friendship Andrew Bunt Jesus’s Greatest Miracle Andrew Bunt Kaleidoscope 

Friendship. We all need it, and it's especially valuable in making the single life plausible. But how do we do it well? How can we foster healthy intimacy in friendship? What example does Jesus give us? All this and more to come in our new podcast series - stay tuned!

Who’s the Tiny Tim of the Living Out staff team? And the Scrooge? How can we keep going as single people over Christmas and New Year, and look out for the single people around us?  All this and more in our (slightly chaotic) podcast Christmas Special!  Resources mentioned and related The Loneliest Day of the Year Dani Treweek God Gets You Andrew Bunt Coming Home for Christmas Dan Reid A Poetic Gift This Christmas Ed Shaw