The RE Podcast

Please send The RE Podcast a Text Message! If you teach GCSE Islam, then you will know how important sources of authority are.  In this episode, Waqar Ahmedi, Zameer Hussain and I discuss sources of authority in Islam.  We explore The Qur'an, The Prophet Muhammad (pbuh), the Sunnah and the Hadith as well as other Holy Texts that have authority, and we also consider the role of the Imamate as...

Please send The RE Podcast a Text Message! It's a few weeks until the first GCSE RE exam and so here is a bitesized episode to help support revision.  I look at different revision methods and some top tips for the exam.  This won't replace the valuable work done in the classroom but might give some helpful tips alongside lessons! Good luck to all of you out there as you embark on exam se...

Please send The RE Podcast a Text Message! On 9th March 2024, millions of Muslims around the world begin a month fasting between the hours of sunlight. During past Ramadans we have spoken from men and women Muslims, and now it's the children's turn. I chat to three Muslim year 11 students, Areez, Alisha and Nila, about what it is like to complete Ramadan whilst in a British school. We lo...

Please send The RE Podcast a Text Message! Did you know that the people who bring you TRUETUBE also bring you BBC PILGRIMAGE and SONGS OF PRAISE ?  CTVC are a media company behind all of these amazing things and was started by ARTHUR RANK ! To celebrate the new BBC Pilgrimage series starting on 29th March 2024, we do a deep dive into the minds of three passionate and talented people involved with...

Please send The RE Podcast a Text Message! What a delightful topic and a delightful guest.  Oli Aston awakens us to how radical Catholic teachings are, particularly in terms of social justice. We look at their link to Jesus, famous catholics who have put them into practice and how to teach them in the classroom. Here is a link to 'Romero' - the film of Oscar Romero that we mention https:...

Please send The RE Podcast a Text Message! In the absence of a National Curriculum, Culham St Gabriel CEO, Kathryn Wright and Deborah Weston have written a National Content Standard.  But what is it? Why do we need it? And, Should there be a National Curriculum for RE?  We discuss all this and more in this delightful chat with two people who are just so passionate about RE! https://religiouseducat...

Please send The RE Podcast a Text Message! I spent so much of my career not knowing about NATRE and I don't want any RE teacher to miss out on what this amazing organisation has to offer.  From training, to support to resources, this organisation is run by RE teachers and for RE teachers. In this episode I talk to the CEO of NATRE, Fiona Moss and the Chair of the NATRE executive Katie Freeman...

Please send The RE Podcast a Text Message! Lat Blaylock became an RE teacher over 40 years ago.  As he takes semi-retirement we look back over his extensive career and celebrate this wonderful subject. I ask him why he committed himself entirely to the teaching of RE. Why he loves RE so much and why he thinks it is such an important subject. We look at how it always seems to be in jeopardy but has...

Please send The RE Podcast a Text Message! This week I interview Mathew Guest about Quakerism.  If you have the February blues then this episode will really cheer you up.  Mathew enightens us about the history of the Quakers but also about the four tenants; Equality Peace Simplicity Truth We also discuss their inspiration behind their commitment to pacifism and non-violent conflict resolution. We...

Please send The RE Podcast a Text Message! A fantastic chat with Molly Acharya about the Vedas - a set of four holy texts in Hindu Dharma. The Rig Veda The Yajur Veda The Sama Veda The Atharva Veda These books are full of such wisdom that weaves so much into the modern day life of humans, from architecture to feng shui to yoga to diet. It tells great stories too! We delve into the the history and...

Please send The RE Podcast a Text Message! Hands up if you knew that there was an RE Quality Mark? Who thinks their department deserves one? Who would like to know how to get one? All these questions and more are asked in my chat with Indy Nottage, Linda Rudge and Jake Womak.  Indy is from the RE coucil of England and Wales that run the REQM and Linda is project manager for the REQM.  Jake is a He...

Please send The RE Podcast a Text Message! In my final episode in my mini series on The Sermon On The Mount, I dive into the rest of the Sermon On The Mount.  It meanders around a variety of subjects; Fulfillment of the Law Murder Adultery Divorce Oaths Turning the other cheek Love for enemies Fasting Giving to the needy Treasures in heaven, Not worrying Judging others Turning the other cheek Aski...

Please send The RE Podcast a Text Message! To start 2024 I am doing a little mini series on the Sermon On The Mount.  This was the first piece of teaching of Jesus recorded in the gospels.  Jesus has been baptised, he's fasted and prayed and been tempted and now he begins his ministry.  In the last episode I explored the Beatitudes. In this episode I delve into the section on prayer, includin...

Please send The RE Podcast a Text Message! So excited to be starting a new year with Season 11 of The RE Podcast.  In the next few episodes I am going to delve into the Sermon On The Mount.  This week I look at the Beatitudes, and next week I will look at prayer - particularly the Lords Prayer and the week after I will tackle the rest. I have got my lovely Da to read the verses from the Bible so y...

Please send The RE Podcast a Text Message! To celebrate the winter solstice 21st December 2023, I have had a lovely chat with Tara and Linda.  We discuss all things Pagan! How has ininfluenced British culture today, where it came from, the relationship between Paganisms and Christianity - focussing on the upcoming festival of Christmas, as well as misconceptions about Paganisms.  Look out for the...

Please send The RE Podcast a Text Message! In the last in my series on the parables of Jesus, James Holt joins us to discuss 'The Parable Of The Prodigal Son'. We discuss why he loves the parable so much, the significance at the time and the various interpretations of what it means today. We also consider how you can use it in the classroom. We don't actually discuss what the word &...

Please send The RE Podcast a Text Message! This is my favourte of Jesus' parables. Quite simply this is because it makes someone in authority look stupid, and it elevates the little guy - the outcasts.  But what does the Parable of the Good Samaritan mean? Who are the Samaritans? What would this parable have meant to those listening?  What does it mean to love our neighbour as ourselves and h...

Please send The RE Podcast a Text Message! The parables of Jesus were stories he told to a specific group of people for a specific reason.  In this new mini series, I unpack a couple of Jesus's parables starting with the parable of the sheep and the goats.   What did it mean to the people listening? How does it influence Christians today? Why sheep and goats? How do you get to heaven? How doe...

Please send The RE Podcast a Text Message! Some of you might have heard of Fiona Spargo Mabbs - founder of the DSM Foundation. The Foundation was named after Daniel Spargo Mabbs, Fiona's youngest son who tragically lost his life after taking ecstasy. Fiona talks openly and authentically about her wrestles with her Christian faith after many trials she has faced in her life, but how in the end...

Please send The RE Podcast a Text Message! I have just finished a mini series on people who have lost their religion.  In the last episode, I spoke to someone who had lost and then found their faith again.  That is a nice segway into a new mini series called 'Finding My Religion' - looking at people who have chosen to follow a religion.  I start these conversations talking to Sir Giles G...

Please send The RE Podcast a Text Message! Now I know that I don't usually put out an episode during holidays but I really wanted to finish my Losing My Religion series without a break! But this is an interesting one as this is someone who lost and then found their faith again, and this will lead nicely into a series on people who have found faith. Warwickshire RE teacher, Leanne had a Christ...

Please send The RE Podcast a Text Message! In this episode, Head of RE, NATRE exec Neil McKain talks about his gradual journey from Roman Catholicism to being the Vice Chair of Humanism UK, and why humanism appeals to him. We discuss unbaptised babies, the parable of the sower, original sin, resurrection, the patriarchy and the impact of a pluralistic Theology degree that offered alternatives to t...

Please send The RE Podcast a Text Message! To continue with my exploration as to why people walk away from organised religion, I talk to Clare Campbell. Although now a humanist, Clare was bought up within the Church of England - not necessarily because she believed it but because that is what happened in those days. But why did that experience not resonate with her? Are some of the stories in the...

Please send The RE Podcast a Text Message! Welcome to a new mini series within The RE Podcast called 'Losing my religion'.  In this mini season I interview people who have left organised religion.  We look at the reason behind this and what they have gained and lost from this decision.  It is a deeply personal subject matter so I start with my own journey from Christianity to agnostic  l...

Please send The RE Podcast a Text Message! To celebrate the third anniversary of the RE podcast TODAY 1st October 2023, here is the third and final best bits reel. This one is from season 9 where we have episodes on Orthodoxy, Empowering Voices, Homosexuality, Happy Valley, Baha’i, Humanism and Social Justice, P4C, GCSE RE success, Extended Writing In RE, Philosobrick and Being A Head Of RE. Such...