Episode 61. The Quakers and their Chocolate
Dr Simon Machin in conversation with Professor Ben Pink Dandelion, about the religious sensibility of the British Quakers, their innovative but generous business mindset, and the Fry, Cadbury and Rowntree chocolate makers.
Episode 60. Cicely Saunders and the Modern Hospice Movement
Dr Simon Machin in conversation with the distinguished sociologist of palliative care, Professor David Clark, about the founder of the modern hospice movement, Cicely Saunders.
Episode 59. Henry Scott Holland and the Common Good
Dr Simon Machin in conversation with the academic Dr Ralph Norman about the Anglican preacher and social reformer, Henry Scott Holland.
Episode 58. Carl Jung: Psychotherapist, Pioneer, Healer
Dr Simon Machin in conversation with the Revd Earl Collins about the life and pioneering career of Carl Jung, the Swiss psychiatrist, psychotherapist and psychologist.
Episode 57. Andy Harrison: Riding Lights and One-Man Plays
Dr Simon Machin in conversation with the actor Andy Harrison about his career, Riding Lights, and his partnership with playwright Murray Watts in a series of one-man plays about Charles Darwin, Michael Faraday and Henri Nouwen.
Episode 56. Maude Royden and the Guildhouse
Dr Simon Machin in conversation with the Revd Canon Alison Falby about the life and times of the pioneering Anglican preacher, suffragist, pacifist and public intellectual Maude Royden.
Episode 55. The Ragged School Movement
Dr Simon Machin in conversation with Erica Davies, Director of the Ragged School Museum and the academic Bill Jacob about the Museum’s place in the London Ragged School Movement, before the advent of state education in 1870.
Episode 54. O Little Town: A short history of hymns and their place names
Dr Simon Machin in conversation with the choral composer Mark Browse about his book, O Little Town about hymn tunes and their place names.
Episode 53. Keir Hardie and the Labour Church
Dr Simon Machin in conversation with Dr Neil Johnson about his separate books on Keir Hardie and the Labour Church
Episode 52. Dorothy L Sayers and Creativity
Dr Simon Machin in conversation with Revd Canon Michael Hampel about the detective writer and dramatist, Dorothy L Sayers and her theory of creativity.
Episode 51. Hilaire Belloc
Dr Simon Machin in conversation with Chris Hare about his 2022 book, Hilaire Belloc: The Politics of Living.
Episode 50. Evelyn Underhill: Pioneer of Modern Spirituality
Dr Simon Machin in conversation with Professor Jane Shaw about the pioneer of modern spirituality, Christian mystic, retreat leader and spiritual director, Evelyn Underhill (1875-1941).
Episode 49. St Mary’s Primrose Hill: A Christian Socialist Case Study
Dr Simon Machin in conversation with Christopher Kitching CBE about the radical influence of St Mary’s Primrose Hill on Anglican liturgy and social theology..
Episode 48. The Lanes: A Methodist Case Study
Dr Simon Machin in conversation with David Lane CBE about the Lane family’s Methodism and his career in social services.
Episode 47. The Suffragettes and Morris Dancing
Dr Simon Machin in conversation with Kathryn Atherton about her 2024 book, Mary Neal and the Suffragettes Who Saved Morris Dancing.
Episode 46. John Ruskin and the Guild of St George
Dr Simon Machin in conversation with Dr Mark Frost about his 2014 book, The Lost Companions and John Ruskin’s Guild of St George.
Episode 45. Modern Spiritualism and the Church of England
Dr Simon Machin in conversation with Revd Canon Dr Georgina Byrne about her book Modern Spiritualism and the Church of England and the changing attitudes within Anglicanism to the afterlife..
Episode 44. ‘This Blessed Plot’: Thaxted Revisited
Dr Simon Machin in conversation with film maker Marc Isaacs and screenwriter Adam Ganz about ‘This Blessed Plot’, their 2024 film which is set in the rural town of Thaxted, Essex and provides a modern take on its history..
Episode 43. Pleshey Retreat House, Essex and Evelyn Underhill
Dr Simon Machin in conversation with the former Warden of Pleshey Retreat House, Essex, Canon John Howden about its proud history and association with the Christian mystic, Evelyn Underhill.
Episode 42. Nigel Forde: Trace Elements
Dr Simon Machin in conversation with the poet, playwright and broadcaster Nigel Forde about his life, career and his part in the foundation of the Riding Lights theatre company.