The Sacred

Rod Dreher, an American conservative journalist and author known for works like The Benedict Option, joins Elizabeth Oldfield to discuss profound topics. They explore the impact of the Catholic sex abuse scandal on faith, his journey to Eastern Orthodoxy, and the search for spiritual transcendence. Dreher shares insights on humor in grief, the importance of community in chaos, and his views on contemporary political issues. Their conversation dives into personal transformation, supernatural experiences, and the need for compassion in a divided society.

Father James Martin and our host, Elizabeth Oldfield discuss his journey to becoming a Catholic priest and the Jesuit motto of finding God in everything. We spoke about the difficulty of living a life of chastity, becoming a vocal advocate for LGBTQ inclusion within the Catholic Church and navigating backlash as a public figure. If you enjoy episodes of The Sacred don't forget to hit subscribe to be notified whenever we release an episode! 🎙️ Follow The Sacred: linktr.ee/sacredpodcast 📖 Follow Elizabeth Oldfield: www.elizabetholdfield.com/ 💡 Produced by the ‪@thinktanktheos‬ www.theosthinktank.co.uk/ 📕 Purchase Fr James Martin's new book 'Come Forth' here: https://www.eden.co.uk/christian-books/bible-study/academic-bible-study/come-forth/ CHAPTERS 00:00 What is Sacred to you? Father James Martin replies 00:54 Understanding the Sacred 02:50 The Role of Discernment in Life 05:46 Childhood Influences and Early Life 09:08 Transitioning from Business to Jesuit Life 11:56 Exploring Religious Orders 14:51 Community Living and Its Challenges 18:10 Chastity is difficult 20:05 Having a public voice 23:00 Advocacy for the LGBTQ Community 27:16 Spiritual Rejection and backlash 32:06 Understanding Radicalisation and Disagreement 34:32 The Role of Politics in Division 38:58 Finding the Balance in Discourse 40:24 Exploring the Themes of 'Come Forth' 44:44 Jesuit Wisdom on Understanding Others 49:06 The Importance of Connection in Disagreement --- Keywords Compassion, Catholic, Jesuit, Priest, Humanity, Monastic, Despair, Hope, Jesus, Catholic, Religion, Theology, Spirituality, Ministry, Pastoral, Devotion, Morality, Ethics, Belief, Tradition, Contemplation, Mysticism, Interfaith, Ecumenical, Jesuit priest, Catholic spirituality, Finding God in all things, Discernment of spirits, LGBTQ advocacy in the Catholic Church, Navigating controversy and criticism, Chastity and religious life, Compassion and empathy in faith, Bridging divides and understanding differences, Vocation and calling, Spirituality and everyday life, Theological perspectives on Jesus's humanity, Intentional community and monastic living, division, politics, listening, relationship, Overcoming despair and cultivating hope, Balancing public ministry and personal faith, Lessons in listening and giving the benefit of the doubt, Exploring sacred and secular in modern life, Insights from a Jesuit priest and author, Navigating faith, difference, and social justice, Transformative spiritual journeys

Dr. Timothy Winter (Abdal Hakim Murad), a prominent Islamic theologian, shares his captivating journey from a Christian upbringing to embracing Islam. He highlights surprising commonalities between the two faiths, challenging popular misconceptions. Dr. Winter reflects on the resurgence of interest in traditional religions, advocating for a deeper, prophetic approach to faith. His insights into the sacred nature of sexuality in both religions invite listeners to appreciate the richness of Islamic spirituality and the interconnectedness of all human experiences.

Sarah Wilson, a best-selling author and podcaster, joins Elizabeth Oldfield to explore profound spiritual themes. They discuss the nature of the sacred and how love and nature foster belonging in tough times. Drawing from their childhood in the Australian outback, they highlight resilience against environmental challenges. The conversation also tackles grief associated with climate change, offering a path towards acceptance. Finally, they emphasize the transformative power of genuine relationships and community engagement in navigating uncertainty.

We sit down with Dr. Kate Tomas, a philosopher and spiritual mentor, to discuss her experience as a psychic, and the rising discussion about younger generations and New Age/spiritual practices. Elizabeth Oldfield speaks to Kate about her upbringing and what led her to psychic work, how 'intuitive wisdom' is used by many of the world's wealthiest people, why young people are drawn to astrology and tarot, and how the lack of accountability may leave room for harm. 🎙️ Follow The Sacred: linktr.ee/sacredpodcast 📖 Follow Elizabeth Oldfield: www.elizabetholdfield.com/ 💡 Produced by the ‪@thinktanktheos‬ www.theosthinktank.co.uk/

Dr. Gwen Adshead, a forensic psychologist and psychotherapist, shares her transformative insights on empathy and human complexity. She emphasizes the importance of recognizing our shared humanity, even in the face of evil. Adshead discusses radical compassion, highlighting our interconnectedness and the moral nuances of human behavior. She also delves into the role of spirituality in mental health care, advocating for a compassionate approach that balances understanding with justice. Her perspective encourages listeners to explore the sacred within the darkest human experiences.

In a deep conversation with Elizabeth Oldfield, political philosopher Sam Kimbriel explores how nature influences our worldview and the loneliness epidemic gripping modern society. He emphasizes the profound value of vulnerable friendships and the necessity of engaging with our limitations. Kimbriel argues that philosophy should be accessible and relevant, especially post-COVID, serving as a tool for personal and societal growth. The discussion also highlights the transformative power of meaningful connections amidst a backdrop of individualism and superficial interactions.

The podcast hosts engage with listeners through a survey to gather feedback on the show's impact and areas for improvement during the summer hiatus. Listeners are encouraged to share their insights on what they find sacred and how the podcast has influenced them.

Exploring the benefits and challenges of communal living, focusing on interdependence, vulnerability, and shared experiences to combat loneliness and foster deep connections. Reflecting on the moral implications of housing ownership and gentrification, and embracing trust, love, and mutual assistance within a community setting.

In this episode, Elizabeth Oldfield interviewed Tim Dixon about the limitations of politics in creating change, the tragic death of friend Jo Cox, and the importance of addressing the issue of polarisation and division in politics. Tim Dixon is a social entrepreneur and the co-founder of More in Common, an organisation, in the US, UK, Germany and France, that is working to unite our increasing polarised and fragmented societies. 🎙️ Follow The Sacred: linktr.ee/sacredpodcast 📖 Follow Elizabeth Oldfield: www.elizabetholdfield.com/ 💡 Produced by the ‪@thinktanktheos‬ www.theosthinktank.co.uk/ ✨ Find out more about Tim's work: https://x.com/dixontim