Poema Podcast

Today pastor & author Andy Gray shares his own powerful story, and talks about the revolutionary yet Biblical idea of Shema.  Shema means to hear, and Andy passionately explains how God wants us to hear His call to live lives overflowing with God's love. A love which was to be on our lips every morning, and which we were to teach to our children, and to be creatively expressed in our daily lives....

Today I host pastor, speaker & author Steve Chalke. Steve shares the powerful story of how Oasis Trust - a network of churches, schools and more - started and the impact it's had on individual's lives. He outlines his vision of what church can and should be, and what our part can be in that. Finally, Steve speaks passionately and honestly about LGBT inclusion, how important is for the church and t...

Today is the second & final part of my series on repentance. In this episode I unpack the true meaning of the word 'repent' & reflect on what this might mean for us. Ending with a message of hope, and a challenge as to how we might respond. ***** This series part of this months #synCREATE theme of repentance.

Today is the first of a two-part series on Repentance, unpacking & exploring sin, and what we really mean when we use that word. Because our understanding of sin is fundamental to understanding repentance. This series is linked to this months #synCREATE theme of repentance. Keep your eyes peeled for Part 2 tomorrow!

Lorna Kopp (aka Lorna Faith) is my guest today. Lorna, a writer, author & coach, shares her story and we talk about the importance of vulnerability in creating authentic work. We also discuss how her faith has impacted her creative work, and the power of encouragement. 

Today I'm joined by writer, blogger, painter & author Pamela Hodges. Pamela shares her unique story - including when she met Bono - and talks about maintaining authenticity & artistic integrity in our creative work. Finally, Pamela talks about about her struggles with faith, dealing with loss, and how she encourages her cats to express themselves creatively. 

Andi Cumbo is an experienced writer, coach, author and editor, and a good friend. Today on the podcast she shares her powerful & challenging story, with wisdom about creativity, calling, and how this ties in with her spirituality, and her life running a farm. Andi has so much wisdom to share about creativity, spirituality, calling & living a balanced life, and I know you'll really benefit from her...

Today I talk to my good friend, writer, blogger & coach Christine Niles, about writing and the creative process.  Christine has years of blogging & writing experience, and like me has spent a lot of time coaching writers. She's seen the ups & downs, the challenges, the failures & the successes, and has a lot of wisdom to share on things like finding your voice, overcoming writers block, and overco...

The series on calling concludes with a call to action - talking about how we don't need to have permission to pursue our calling, the role of wise counsel, and challenging us to have the courage to step out & embrace the life we were created for. 

We've discussed what calling is...but how do we discover our calling? Today in this series I talk about following our curiosity, and listening to that ache inside of us. Our callings often reside both in the things we are curious about, or in the inner aches, desires, longings deep inside - and we need to learn to listen to both

In part 3 of this series on calling, I explore the a simple but forgotten truth about calling - that callings can, and should, be fun. To be enjoyed. To be something we ultimately find joy in.  We may not initially want to do what we're called to, but if we're really called to it, then it will become joy to us.

Before we begin exploring what our calling is & how to pursue it, we need to ground ourselves in the right place. In part 2 of my series on calling, I explore how often put our security in our calling or vocation - and how if we are to really thrive, we need to place it somewhere else. ***** This series is part of the #synCREATE month on calling. You're invited to create anything related to callin...

This week I'm doing a five-part series on the subject of calling. Calling is a word we use more and more often, but can be misunderstood. In this series I examine various questions/issues/misunderstandings around calling, and how we can discover our own calling. Today I begin with the basic question, 'What Is Calling?'  We talk about it a lot, but what does it actually mean? ***** Calling is this...

Dr Kate Hendricks Thomas is a health educator & author who has conducted research which proves there is a science to our spirituality. Today I talk with her about the three things her research has shown are required for healthy living - and an evidence basis for spirituality. Hendricks Thomas gives us a fascinating insight into how the brain works. And she shows us some incredible conclusions abou...

It's the time of year man of us choose our goals for the coming year. What I've done in recent years is choose one word to give me focus and direction, and which sums up all my goals - and it's had a massively positive impact. So today I share about the #OneWord365 project, how it's impacted my life & how it can benefit you too. I also discuss how whilst plans and goals are good, that often, life...

From Dec 21st there will be a little more sunlight coming into the world. Christmas is a story of new hope. It's a symbol of new light coming into a world of darkness. And that metaphor is demonstrated in God's creation. Today on the podcast I reflect on the metaphor of darkness and light, and how this symbol of light in darkness in creation had a life-changing impact on me. And I explore what thi...

Star Wars: The Force Awakens opens this week. And today is the beginning of an occasional series called 'Geek Spirituality - where I & others explore the connections between spirituality & the stories told comic book movies, sci-fi classics like Star Wars & Doctor Who & others. Today I begin with the world of Star Wars.  Firstly, I talk the spiritual awakening our culture is looking for & why this...

Lisa Delay of the Spark My Muse podcast is my guest today. Lisa is an author, podcaster & communicator, and the co-founder, with myself, of #synCREATE, a collaborative creative community, as well as a friend. She's passionate about inspiring people to discover their creative gifts and discover more of the divine in everyday life.  Today she shares her story, talks about creativity, her creative pr...

Today I introduce synCreate - a new creative community, where every single person is invited to create art of any kind you like - words, music, painting, drawing, photos, videos, podcasts, blog posts, animation, films - anything - on monthly themes, sharing them in community & with the hashtag #syncreate.  It's a space with freedom to create, a space to have community, a space which invites collab...

Today I have writer & blogger Taylor Duvall on the show. Taylor has a powerful, challenging story to share, which takes in writing, moving from traditional church to a more progressive spirituality, discovering a new life and purpose beyond her divorce at 22, and much more.  Taylor's an amazing person & phenomenal writer, and has so much wisdom & encouragement about spirituality, creativity/writin...

Today I talk to podcaster, blogger and pastor Troy McLaughlin about creativity, calling, faithfulness and keeping integrity in our work. Troy shares about his own powerful journey of calling & how it's led him to where he is today, and his online work on Project Pastor. 

Today I'm joined by Sarah Bessey, blogger, speaker & author of the new book 'Out Of Sorts', and 'Jesus Feminist'. Sarah shares her own story of faith, leaving & coming back to the church & finding Jesus in the process.  Sarah & I chat about what it means to have an evolving faith, the importance of doubt, questioning and mystery and why we all need to journey together, not divide ourselves. And ho...

What does it mean to be 'evangelical'?  Today I share parts of my own story try to encourage those questioning what is called the 'evangelical church'. And I explore how in fact an 'evangelical' is a type of person, a way of being in the world, not a label, institution, belief system, or religious/political affiliation.

Before we progress in our spiritual journey, there is one big step of faith we have to take....and it's not just about belief. 

Lauren Ward from FeministFaith.com shares her story today. Lauren talks about what she calls 'Christian Feminism', and how her feminist and Christian beliefs have shaped her story and her life choices, including her recent engagement.  Finally, Lauren offers encouragement to all Christian women who are feeling unable to express who they truly are.