The Hopeful Activists' Podcast

Sarah Corbett is an award-winning campaigner with 30 years’ practical experience as an activist. Sarah found the constant pressure to get people to sign up to campaigns, with little real engagement or compassion, exhausting. As an antidote to burnout she found a way to use her creativity to protest in a careful, thoughtful way; using emotional intelligence and neuroscience to engage with power-hol...

Dr Ruth Valerio is Global Advocacy and Influencing Director at Tearfund. She shares the story of how she became an environmentalist, theologian and social activist and gives us some great practical advice on making positive changes and dealing with the climate crisis. To join in with Tearfund's amazing work, visit: www.tearfund.org/action You can find Ruth's new book, Saying Yes to Life here: www....

Rich reflects on the big questions of life: why are we here? What is the purpose of my life? But more importantly how can I be fully, abundantly alive?

Abi reflects on being northern, being an extrovert, and the importance of taking time out to be with Jesus.

Separated from her children for 8 years, Marie shares her story of seeking refuge in the UK and the struggle to find her children. It's a story of resilience and hope, and the power of having a community to support you. shinewestbowling.org.uk

This episode includes references to suicide attempts and gambling addiction. A gambling addiction put a wrecking ball through Nick's life, costing him his business, home, his family and his mental health. Nick and Donna share their journey together through Nick's addiction, finding faith, relapsing and now running a community cafe together in a former bookies. A story of hope from the depths of de...

Last Christmas both Levi and Paul were in prison, this year they are free from addiction and rebuilding their lives and relationships. A real story of hope. For support around addiction please visit: www.mind.org.uk/information-support/guides-to-support-and-services/addiction-and-dependency For more information about The Oaks, where Paul and Levi live, please visit. themec.org.uk/the-mec-in-a-nuts...

This episode contains a description of a violent attack. For the first in our advent series we hear an incredible story of hope from Sandra who suffered a violent attack. "Your circumstances might be completely unique: but whatever your circumstances, God is there, and he never leaves, and he has a way through." If you need support around any of the issues raised in this podcast please visit: For...

"Landlord" is a dirty word, but Gavin Mullaley is putting people first in an industry with a bad reputation. He shares his unlikely inspirations, and why we don't need as much money as we think we do! Plus find out more about the Praxis Labs from the wonderful Hannah Ling, who took part in the last course and now runs the social media for The Hopeful Activists' Podcast. www.cornerstonepartnership....

Jane Sullivan from Wedding Angels shares how her own difficult upbringing fuelled her passion to help others through a sustainable business.

How to stop, let others lead, and embrace the mess (and transformation!) that results, with CEO of the award-winning youth organisation PrimeTime Bradford. primetimebradford.com primetimeyln.com

Comedian and preacher Andy Kind shares his wisdom on finding your calling. http://www.andykind.co.uk

A challenge to think about our attitude to others and how to be builders of reconciliation today from Luke and Victoria, Reconciliation Programme Co-ordinators for The Archbishop of Canterbury. Brexit or no Brexit, how can we listen and truly hear each other's stories and bring healing and hope?

Abi goes to a beautiful part of North Yorkshire to meet Alex Evans to talk all things Brexit! How can we move beyond the divisions in society in a new and creative way as people of faith. What is our responsibility in the midst of all the anger and division? Alex brings depth and wisdom to the debate. www.collectivepsychology.org Twitter: @alexevansuk

The first episode of a new series (we will return to next month), on business as a force for good. Abi speaks to Tom Partridge from Holos Kombucha about building a business that has a lasting positive impact. Twitter @holoskombucha Crowdfunder: seedrs.com/holoskombucha (Capital at Risk) https://holoskombucha.com

Academic and excellent communicator Elaine Storkey shares some of the wisdom she has gained throughout her life, including in her work with Tearfund. Her theological insights into God's redemptive plan for us, and how we can live in that power are deep, yet practical. www.elainestorkey.com Elaine's compelling book "Scars Across Humanity" can be bought here: https://www.eden.co.uk/shop/scars-across...

In the second instalment of the interview with Lara and Rachel we hear how they saw God's hand through their incredibly difficult journey getting Snowdrop off the ground. https://snowdropproject.co.uk Instagram: snowdropproject Twitter: @SnowdropProject Facebook: @snowdropproject To donate: https://snowdropproject.co.uk/donate/  

The incredible journey of The Snowdrop Project told by founder Lara and Rachel, who was also there from the beginning. The pain and burnout they saw is an experience shared by many activists - their story brings incredible lessons on how to survive and thrive when setting up a new project. https://snowdropproject.co.uk Instagram: snowdropproject Twitter: @SnowdropProject Facebook: @snowdropproject...

Rose Hudson-Wilkin has been unafraid to go where God called her, even when women weren't allowed to be ordained. She will become Bishop of Dover in November and is currently Chaplain to the Speaker to the House of Commons, Chaplain to the Queen and Priest-in-Charge of St Mary-at-Hill, City of London. Rose shares her wisdom on being a faithful disciple, and being a faithful presence wherever you ar...

On the edge of burnout Tony Horsfall went on a silent retreat and God dealt with him a new way. Tony addresses the fear of intimacy with God that we can face, and how to build stillness, silence and solitude into our lives to feed our souls. More information on Tony's work at www.charistraining.co.uk

Shane Claiborne talks justice and joy with Abi in Manchester as part of his visit with the Red Letter Christians. George Bush and Trump get a mention, but it's the "beautiful teaching from Jesus" that steals the show. @shaneclaiborne @RedLetters_UK

Revd Dr Sam Wells brings a dynamic approach to activism in this week's interview. Using Jesus' life as a model for our approach. Jesus spent 1 week in Jerusalem working for us, 3 years in Galilee working with us, and then 30 years in Nazareth being with us. An interview that may significantly alter your approach to change. Sam Wells is Vicar of St Martin-in-the-Fields and also Visiting Professor o...

A hard hitting interview with a Zimbabwean activist this week, we aren't using her name for her safety. She was interviewed by Rich by computer link, and leaves Abi speechless.

David Hughes isn't your traditional climate change activist; his unusual journey brings into the open the common disconnect between our faith and action - and how there is always hope. https://www.arocha.org.uk https://www.climatestewards.org

“What does it mean to be a disciple if the normal way of living is trashing what Jesus has made?” We are looking forward to the reactions to this week’s interview. Ruth Jarman on obedience and breaking the law in the face of the climate crisis. Facebook @christianclimateaction @OperationNoah @ChristianEcologyLink Twitter @Cclimateaction @OperationNoah @GreenChristian_ @ExtinctionR