The Sacred

By: Theos think tank
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  • Summary

  • The Sacred is a podcast about our deepest values, the stories that shape us and how we can build empathy and understanding between people who are very different. Each episode features a conversation with someone who has a public voice, from academics to journalists, playwrights and politicians. We ask them where they have come from, what they are trying to do and what might help heal our very divided public conversations. The Sacred is hosted by Elizabeth Oldfield, former director of Theos think tank. For more information about the people and ideas behind the podcast, visit https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/about/who-we-are or follow us on Twitter @theosthinktank, @sacred_podcast and @ESOldfield.
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Relationships Social Sciences
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Episodes
  • Do We Inherit Mental Illness? with ABC Journalist James Longman

    Do We Inherit Mental Illness? with ABC Journalist James Longman
    Jan 29 2025
    ABC Foreign News Correspondent James Longman speaks to Elizabeth Oldfield about the emotional toll he faces as a journalist reporting from war zones, the challenges of being a gay journalist in dangerous regions abroad, and the intergenerational impact of mental illness within his own family. 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/ ✍️ See James' new book 'The Inherited Mind': https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/211026628-the-inherited-mind CHAPTERS 00:00 Intro 00:54 What is Sacred to you? James Longman responds 07:03 Childhood Influences and Family Dynamics 14:07 The Impact of Mental Health in Family History 18:58 The Journey into Journalism and Conflict Reporting 24:11 Ethics and Responsibilities in News Reporting 29:51 Cultural and Spiritual Influences on Identity 31:48 Navigating Identity in Hostile Environments 38:02 The Interplay of Genetics and Environment 45:11 Understanding Mental Illness and Suicide 48:30 The Power of Compassionate Support 52:00 Elizabeth's reflection Keywords: kindness, journalism, family, mental health, ethics, conflict reporting, Ukraine, storytelling, hope, authenticity, Catholicism, LGBTQ+, mental health, genetics, suicide, community, love, support, healing, identity, journalist, ethics, war, trauma, resilience, empathy, responsibility, mental, illness, family, spirituality, identity, sexuality, reporting, hope, grief, healing, understanding, community, compassion, depression, suicide, schizophrenia, bipolar, epigenetics, environment, genetics, inherited, sacred, values, storytelling, bearing, witness, gay, international, danger, intergenerational, legacy, support, care, privilege, resources, authenticity, vulnerability, forgiveness, redemption, transformation
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    1 hr and 2 mins
  • Why is Gen Z Having an Identity Crisis? With Freya India

    Why is Gen Z Having an Identity Crisis? With Freya India
    Jan 15 2025
    Why are resilience and mental health such critical issues for Generation Z? Elizabeth Oldfield and Freya India discuss the influence of social media, individualism, left-wing ideas and changes in parenting on Gen Z. We explore themes such as divorce and family breakdown, the pervasive influence of the mental health narratives on youth and the search for identity and spiritual meaning in a disenchanted world. Freya India is a Gen Z writer and journalist, featured in The Spectator, The New Statesman, The Independent and UnHerd, and known for her popular Substack, GIRLS. 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/ ✍️ Subscribe to Freya's substack: https://www.freyaindia.co.uk?utm_source=navbar&utm_medium=web Keywords: family, divorce, social media, Generation Z, Gen Z, emotional pain, resilience, societal norms, childhood, identity, mental health, mental health, youth, culture, algorithms, social media, spirituality, community, generational divide, self-help, meaning crisis, instagram, identity, growth, self help, polarisation, conservative, religion
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    1 hr and 6 mins
  • Q&A: Faith vs Doubt, The Loneliness Crisis, Will I Convert to Islam?

    Q&A: Faith vs Doubt, The Loneliness Crisis, Will I Convert to Islam?
    Jan 8 2025
    Elizabeth, Dan and Amari discuss various questions from their audience such as, How did Elizabeth find the Atheism debate? How do I navigate uncertainty and doubt in my faith? Will humans always be a bit lonely? Can Christianity be inclusive of other religions? How can we avoid constructing our own God? And more! Chapters 00:00:00 - Intro 00:01:08 - How did you find the Atheism panel debate? 00:04:09 - Navigating doubt and uncertainty in faith 00:12:00 - Is loneliness a chronic human problem? 00:18:00 - Authenticity and Self-Work 00:25:00 - Can people from other religions go to heaven? 00:33:00 - Avoiding projection on God 00:39:00 - Praying for specific things 00:45:00 - Prayer as Meditation and Attention Training 00:51:00 - What is Sacred to the Sacred Team? Keywords faith, doubt, community, loneliness, crisis, spirituality, uncertainty, conversion, intimacy, philosophy, Christianity, faith, prayer, inclusivity, exclusivism, Hinduism, spirituality, Jesus, interfaith dialogue, personal belief, sacredness, community, intimacy, loneliness, exclusivism, inclusivity, relationship, projection, prayer, meditation, sacred, dignity, beauty, humanity, theology, philosophy, religion, spirituality, Christianity, Hinduism, interfaith, deconstruction, authenticity, self-work
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    51 mins

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