Mid-faith Crisis

It’s the first of our series on Nick’s book, The Badly Behaved Bible . We talk about the misinformation surrounding the scriptures, whether Christians have to read the Bible at all, and how we can experience the Bible and not merely ‘study’ it. How to Survive the Mid-Faith Crisis: Lee Abbey 8-12 June 2020 The Badly Behaved Bible on Amazon The Badly Behaved Bible on Eden.co.uk The Badly Behaved Bib...

How do we deal with feelings of failure? How do we change the wrong narratives that tend to trap us? We explore the power of the stories we tell ourselves about our lives. Featuring an introduction by a very special guest! (Warning: contains cricket references.) How to run a Mid-Faith Crisis Bookgroup: Download the Complete and Utter Sheet Peak-End Theory The Badly Behaved Bible on Amazon The Badl...

Happy Christmas everyone. For some reason Joe has decided that mid-July is the ideal time to reflect on Christmas. So grab a mince pie, pull a cracker and join us to reflect on the idea of incarnation and how crucial it is, not just to Christmas, but to every single day of our life. Also we announce the first Midfaith Crisis Book club. Sort of. Much to his embarrassment, we’re going to work throug...

Nick’s been on a pilgrimage. (Or a pubgrimage as his wife called it). We talk about what defines a pilgrimage, and what makes it different from a hike. (It’s something to do with intentionality, a sacred destination and quality footwear.) Also lots of the usual quality feedback. Episode 63: On Pilgrimage with Alexander Shaia St Martin’s Church, Canterbury The Pilgrim’s Way

Can we really say anything about God? We talk about the need to get rid of old images of God and replace them with new ones. And even then, whether the new ones can possibly tell the real story. It’s all apophatic theology versus kataphatic theology and whether we can ever eff the ineffable. All this plus the new album from Martin Luther Vandross.

A lot of feedback this episode, with people sharing their thin places, and questions about counselling and communities. We talk about the benefits of spiritual direction, Joe wants more bongos in the opening and Nick has to chase the dog. Church of the Good Shepherd at Lake Tekapo Amelie the Musical - UK Tour

Yes, we’re back from our trip to the RSPB Minsmere Bird Reserve. And in this, short, but perfectly formed episode, we reflect on what we saw there, talk about letting go of things and the importance of welcoming our visitors - even the unwelcome ones. There’s an email about a visit to Chernobyl and Joe drifts off into talking about death. Happy days. The Mid-faith Crisis Bird Sheet Nick and Joe in...

Nick interviews writer and all-round top bloke Adrian Plass. We talk about church, living in community, speaking honestly, some surprising answers to prayer and how he’s finally come to really like God. Also, check out Adrian’s latest books The Shadow Doctor , and Shadow Doctor: The Past Awaits .

We talk about the places where you really get a sense of God's presence. We know that God is with us everywhere and at every moment – but why is it that we feel that presence more in some places than others? Joe talks about the Minsmere Bird Reserve, Nick talks about a cave church on Patmos, both struggle to find the words. There’s a bit of badly-quoted poetry, some great emails, a quote from Sain...

Nick talks about his new book. Also we look at the importance of asking the right question, the need to recognise what path of life we’re on, and how to build more attentiveness into your day. Not to mention some merchandise possibilities and the therapeutic value of John Wick 3. Nick Page, The Badly Behaved Bible Buy on Amazon Buy on Eden.co.uk Buy on Hive.co.uk Buy at Waterstones

Nick’s been on a course. On an island. An island off the coast of Ireland. We talk about different kinds of spirituality, about the need to get out of your comfort zones and the importance of paying attention to others, to creation and to God. Nick Page, The Badly Behaved Bible Buy on Amazon | Buy on Eden.co.uk | Order at Waterstones

We talk about work and its importance in our lives. How can we be a blessing in the workplace? What can it show us about our own stories? What’s the problem with the phrase ‘work-life balance’? And why does Nick think that it’s OK to record a podcast while eating a fish finger sandwich?

Yes it’s here! Like a thief in the night, the second coming episode has actually arrived. We talk all things apocalyptic. Don’t get left behind - listen to the episode! Also, you can now support the podcast by donating stuff. Well, money, technically, although we’re not averse to jewels, gold, exotic spices, etc. Nick Page, Revelation Road on Amazon UK ; on Amazon.com The Rapture Index Michael Gor...

What does Easter mean for people in mid-faith crisis? We look at how the most important Christian festival can help us explore our journey in a new way. There’s stuff on deconstructing faith, why victims of manflu need more help, the new Christian festivals of ‘Washing the Donkey Saturday’ and the Bifidus Digestum , Calvinist Kinder Eggs and the sheer joy of telling people to &#8...

Nick has written an article. It’s about how psychology can help us not to sin quite so much. So Joe asks him questions about it. Oh and Joe is quite jet-lagged. That’s about it, really. 7 ways to stop sinning    

We’re joined again by Alexander Shaia who reflects on a 55-day pilgrimage along the Camino way. He talks to Joe about the challenges of coming home from these kind of life-changing experiences. With Joe recording some of this from his holiday in Mexico, this is an acoustically-challenged episode. And temporally-challenged as well, as bits were recorded at three different occasions in several...

So, we’re in the mid-faith crisis. Do we still seek to make converts? And if so, what does conversion look like these days? The boys reminisce about their previous lives as evangelists and Ethel has an evangelistic thrust. Also, a crucial question: could you plough a field with chickens? Bible Society: #SheToo Podcast

We’ve got follow up! Listeners send us great tips for being unhappy. Nick’s wife, Claire, sends in three pages of notes on his behaviour. Joe shares a Valentine’s Day poem. And we talk about the links between mid-faith crisis and depression. A  bit of a mixed bag, then. Brian Bilston, You are a map Martyn Joseph, Liberal Backslider

We were going to do an episode on happiness, but then we realised we weren’t very good at that. So here are our top tips for being unhappy. From endlessly comparing yourself to others, to replaying all the bad things you’ve done, to simply reminding yourself what a horrible person you are – here are the key skills you need to take unhappiness to the next level. Anything we’ve missed? Send yo...

And we’re back! After a brief New Year break, we have an interview with Trevor Hudson. Trevor takes us through the cycle of grace, how God’s love is actively involved in our lives, and how our lives should be rooted in ‘a profound sense of acceptance and self-acceptance.’ Terrific stuff. Apologies for those of you expecting the podcast on the second coming, but, you know, y...

What actually is the real meaning of Christmas? What does it signify for those of us in the mid-faith crisis? In this yuletide episode we discuss signs and symbols, light and darkness and how Christ is always with us. Meanwhile Nick is spectacularly grumpy, Joe can’t stop singing and Ethel sends us a verse of her favourite carol.

An interview with Mark Scandrette about personal growth, the role of the enneagram in understanding ourselves and how through the beatitudes Jesus calls us back to what is real and true. Meanwhile, Joe recommends lighting a candle in the darkness, and Nick wants to ‘bless’ the person who invented comments in Microsoft Word. The Beatitudes Mark Scandrette The Ninefold Path Saved Wit La Veuve de Sai...

It’s the long awaited (and quite long) film show. We pick our top films to help us think about spiritual formation. Typically, Joe’s all come from 2018 while Nick’s all come from around 1940. And, sadly, there’s no place for any of the Carry On films. This is our list – but what do you think? Email Joe@midfaithcrisis.org and let us know what films you would recommend for anyone in the mid-fa...

In the feedback from our personality episode, we discuss the ‘masks’ we wear in order to conform, their relationship to personality, and how they can become a burden to us. Also Joe advertises his cult, Nick has a new book out, and we remember that great worship song composer, Graham Ken and Dick. Oh No, Mr Snowman! by Nick Page and Clare Fennell Episode 53: Personality Types

In this episode, Joe interviews theologian Bethany Sollereder to explore the issue of death and dying. Why is our culture so afraid of death? Why is grieving important? Who, what or where is apoptosis? We also find out why Joe playing snooker instead of attending his Pastoral Care modules was actually a good thing, why Nick sending off his manuscript is actually a bad thing, and when little Martin...