We launched the ‘Woman Alive’ podcast in July 2023 and many of you are already regular listeners. After almost two years, here are the ones that have gained the most attention…
In each episode of the podcast, Woman Alive editor and creative director, Tola-Doll Fisher, speaks with the writer of a popular online or print article along with one or two other guests who may have a differing opinion. At the end of the main discussion, Doll invites her guests to help a reader with one of the dilemmas sent in as part of the Woman Alive GREAT SEXPECTATIONS series. Episodes are between 30 and 40 minutes.
Christian without Church
In this episode we’re talking about Christians who no longer go to church.
Some have trauma from their experiences of attending. Others find value in meeting in person each week, even if they don’t always get on with everyone.
Oliva Jackson is author of (Un)Certain: A collective memoir of deconstructing faith (SCM Press), which uses the stories and reflections of over 150 interviews from believers who felt the need to leave churches in order to heal.
Emma Fowle is deputy editor of Premier Christianity and editor of Voice of Hope, Premier’s quarterly devotional magazine. She’s a regular churchgoer in her home in Cornwall.
Our GREAT SEXPECTATIONS dilemma this episode is: ‘I’m scared of childbirth but want children, what should I do?’
Hope in difficult seasons part 1:
Doubting the Bible almost shipwrecked my faith
In this episode we discuss stories of having hope in God during difficult seasons.
Ruth Clemence is a freelance writer living in Cardiff, Wales. She writes about faith, suffering, additional needs and motherhood. Find her work at ruthclemence.com
Steph Porter is a community youth worker for a charity called Urban Devotion Birmingham, as well as a songwriter, artist and worship leader. Find her work at linktr.ee/sroseporter
Our GREAT SEXPECTATIONS dilemma this episode is: ‘How many dates does it take to know if there’s real potential?’
Hope in difficult seasons part 2:
Practical ways to have hope in God
In this episode we talk about the practical ways we can have hope in God during difficult seasons.
Danielle Strickland is an author, spiritual leader, and justice advocate. She has authored several books including The Other Side of Hope (Thomas Nelson). daniellestrickland.com
Rachel Otterson is a Northern creative artist and teacher who explores life’s meaning through creative and political practices. Her spoken word piece about the UK riots in August 2024 went viral and reached thousands. Find her work on @rachelotterson
Our GREAT SEXPECTATIONS dilemma this episode is: ‘I want to marry a Christian man, but there are not many!’
Autism and the Church
In this episode, three women – each with personal experiences – give insights into what it’s like living with autism in the Church.
Stephanie C Holmes is a minister who has a daughter with Asperger’s Syndrome and writes about this at christianneurodiversemarriage.com
Miya Sae is a Christian writer and blogger who was diagnosed as autistic aged 26. You can read her work at miyasae.com
Triona Brading is also an autistic Christian who volunteers with Through the Roof, an international charity that exists to transform lives through Jesus with disabled people throughtheroof.org
Our GREAT SEXPECTATIONS dilemma this episode is: ‘I have been “friend-dumped” and I don’t know what to do’
Women are cursed
It all began with a little old apple…In this episode we ask if women really are cursed and, if we are, whether we just put up with it?
Michelle Tant is a midwife, lecturer and deacon. Michelle writes on her own blog michelletant.blogspot.com and is a regular contributor to Woman Alive on breastfeeding and women’s issues.
Belle Tindall is a theologian with a doctorate in Biblical studies specialising in the radical inclusion of Jesus and the empowerment of women. Belle is a regular columnist for Woman Alive magazine and writes for the Centre for Cultural Witness.
The GREAT SEXPECTATIONS dilemma this episode is: ‘Can I kiss boys at parties?’
Fostering and adopting as a single woman
In this episode, two women share why they didn’t wait for husbands to start a family. Both are single and fostering children long-term.
Kobie Abrie is a foster mother to two children, a 14-year-old boy and a 9-year-old girl. You can follow Kobie on @a_fostermama_journey.
Edme Brink has been fostering her seven-year-old boy for two years. Edme is also on under @EdmeBrink.
Our GREAT SEXPECTATIONS dilemma this episode is: ‘I’ve just moved in with my Christian partner, are we living in sin?’
Late marriage was part of God’s plan for us
In this heartwarming episode we hear from three women who married in what society would consider ‘later’ in life.
Wendy Griffith is a TV presenter who co-hosts the American television series The 700 Club and married aged 54. Wendy’s book, You Are a Prize to be Won focuses on encouraging a woman’s worth.
Amy Peterson tied the knot at 45 after holding onto a 25-year-old promise from God that she would one day marry. Amy is the author of the historical novel Perpetua (Lamb’s Ear Press).
Patricia Walcott married later in life after a long-term relationship with someone else and believes her late marriage was all part of God’s plan.
The GREAT SEXPECTATIONS dilemma this episode is: ‘My Christian boyfriend is a narcissist’
Raising children in a blended family
In this episode we hear from two women raising children who aren’t biologically their own to discuss the blessings and challenges that brings. What does it look like to parent children you didn’t give birth to, and do you love them any differently?
Amy Ellison is a proud stepmother to two boys. Her new book, Help! I’m a Step Parent (Day One publications) was published earlier this year.
Rhiannon Goulding is juggling two biological children, two stepchildren and two adopted children. Rhiannon writes our new parenting column, and you can read her article on page 51.
Our GREAT SEXPECTATIONS dilemma this episode is: ‘I feel like Bridget Jones at Christmas’
Prisons don’t work for women
In this episode, we’re asking if women in prison is having a negative impact on society. With women being the main caregivers, should female offenders be treated differently to men? Is justice secretary Shabana Mahmood right to have the ‘ultimate ambition’ to close women’s prisons in the UK?
Rev Tracy Sickel is a prison chaplain who has worked in prisons for 15 years. Tracy currently operates in three women’s prisons and is also CEO of Imago Dei, which helps female inmates process trauma, abuse and low self-esteem.
Catherine De Souza is the CEO of Prison Fellowship England & Wales. Catherine is also a justice advocate, Elim Pentecostal minister and a trustee of Tearfund. With a background in church leadership and prison ministries, Catherine is passionate about caring for the marginalised. prisonfellowship.org.uk
Our GREAT SEXPECTATIONS dilemma this episode is: ‘Why do I feel doomed to unrequited love?’
The truth about women and sex work
In this episode we hear from two women about how best to protect sex workers. Would decriminalising sex work help? Or could it even make things worse?
Jan Coleman is a former prostitute who has been fighting sexual exploitation in the porn industry for 17 years. After working as a porn actress, Jan was sex trafficked herself. Jan now works as intervention leader for Kainos in Germany, an organisation working to fight human trafficking and sexual exploitation in prostitution. kainos-ev.com
Karen Murdarasi is an Albanian interpreter and the secretary of Restore Glasgow, an anti-human-trafficking charity (restoreglasgow.org.uk). Karen worked as a missionary in Albania in the early 2000s and has written on the subject in her first novel, Leda (Matador). kcmurdarasi.com/leda
The GREAT SEXPECTATIONS dilemma this episode is: ‘Is born again virginity possible?’
The producer of the Woman Alive podcast is Rachel Huston.
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