Loved Called Gifted

St. Ignatius of Loyola had a revolutionary effect on the spiritual lives of millions of people. As well as founding the Jesuits, he developed a philosophy and practice of prayer that continues to be helpful to people 500 years later. We look at how he was both similar to and different from his contemporary Martin Luther. And take a look at some of his ideas and methods, such as finding God in all things,  Lectio Divina (reading scripture with the heart) and Imaginative Contemplation (engaging with scripture through creative imagination), the examen, colloquy, discernment, the importance of desire and the difference between consolation and desolation. Whether you’re new to Ignatian spirituality or looking to deepen your connection with the divine, this episode offers practical insights and spiritual tools to guide your journey. Suggested reading:  Landmarks: And Ignatian Journey by Margaret Self  The Jesuit Guide to (Almost) Everything: A Spirituality for Real Life by James Martin Transcript Website  - where you can also find contact details, if you would like to get in touch.   

Catherine Cowell sits down with Maria Manuela Silva—a spiritual director whose life journey spans cultures, crises, and a profound rediscovery of faith. Maria shares her story of growing up in Portugal under the fear and restriction of a dictatorship, living through a revolution, discovering faith, and then building a life of ministry and service in the UK. When a series of personal losses brought everything to a halt, Maria found herself at a breaking point—yet somehow still holding onto God. Maria's is a  journey from fear to trust. Through silence, contemplative spirituality, and the simple yet transformative experience of being truly heard, Maria discovers a deeper, more personal connection with God—one rooted not in striving, but in listening, presence, and what she beautifully describes as “the dance” of the divine. This episode is a gentle, spacious invitation to anyone longing for a more authentic spiritual life. Whether you’re questioning, rebuilding, or simply curious, Maria’s story offers hope, honesty, and a reminder that your own path—your own “dance”—is worth discovering. You can find a transcript here. Explore the website - where you can also find out how to get in touch - here. And you can join our Facebook Page if you like. 

Catherine Cowell and Katy Bowser Hutson talk about play as a spiritual practice. Katy shares how her lifelong creativity—and even her experience with cancer—led her to see play not as something trivial, but as something deeply meaningful, even sacred. Together, they explore how play is rooted in curiosity, imagination, joy, and relationship—and how it can shape the way we connect with God, ourselves, and others. From childhood wonder and storytelling to creativity in everyday life (like choosing colourful pens or drawing in serious moments), they highlight how play can bring lightness, freedom, and fresh perspective—even in hard seasons. God isn’t just serious or distant, but playful, creative, and inviting, delighting in us and drawing us into relationship. Play becomes a way of resisting fear, rediscovering joy, and reconnecting with what really matters. It’s a gentle invitation to slow down, wonder more, and make space for a little more play in everyday life—especially where we least expect it. You can find out more about Katy at her website: katyhutson.com Podcast transcript For more about Loved Called Gifted and information about how to contact Catherine head to her website. Join us on Facebook

Catherine is joined again by Maria Garvey who is navigating life with ongoing physical fragility and chronic pain. She reflects on surrender, vulnerability, and the slow undoing of an identity built on strength, resilience, and responsibility. What emerges is not a neat lesson, but a lived experience of being “broken open” — and discovering love not as something earned or managed, but something received. Together they explore curated vulnerability, aging, self-compassion, and the courage it takes to stop “bouncing back.” Maria shares stories of toll booth chocolate bars and “microdoses of love” — inviting us to notice the small, sacred encounters that hold us together. What does it mean to rest into love, especially when life brings us somewhere we’d rather not go? Transcript Loved Called Gifted website Facebook page

Catherine Cowell chats with Andrea Clarke about surrender, rest, and rediscovering who we really are beneath all the roles and expectations. Andrea reflects on a sailing trip that became a powerful spiritual reset, where she sensed an invitation to join Jesus’ “crack surrender squad” — not about doing more, but about letting go. Through stories, poetry, and deep honesty, they explore surrender as returning to our “factory settings”: being loved, enough, and free to live authentically. It’s a gentle, thoughtful conversation about releasing over-responsibility, resisting pressure (especially in faith spaces), and learning to live and serve from a place of love rather than exhaustion. Transcript Explore the Loved Called Gifted website

This episode is a deep, honest conversation with Addison Torrance and Caidyn Bearfield about their experiences in the foster care and youth institutional system in Ohio, and how those experiences led them into advocacy. They both share painful stories of being placed in congregate care and residential treatment facilities, where trauma, over-medication, lack of education, and loss of trust were common. Despite that, they talk about finding healing through community—especially with other former foster youth—and turning their experiences into purpose. Much of the episode focuses on challenging systems that profit from institutionalizing young people, advocating for safer, more humane alternatives, and pushing for systemic change (like the creation of a Youth Ombudsman). It’s heavy, but also hopeful, showing how shared experience, learning, and courage can turn harm into meaningful action. If you would like a transcript, you can find one here Loved Called Gifted website Follow us on Facebook    

As we start the New Year, Catherine is joined by Olga Malarkey for a rich, down-to-earth conversation about faith, identity, and noticing God in everyday life. Olga shares a bit of her story and together they reflect on Ireland, creativity, and the deep hunger for freedom and healing woven into Irish culture, before moving into Olga’s personal journey of faith — including walking through years of chronic illness and experiencing both God’s presence in the struggle and the joy of healing. The heart of the conversation focuses on the Examen, an ancient Ignatian prayer practice that helps people reflect on their lives and become more aware of God’s loving presence in both the highs and the lows. Olga explains the practice in a simple, accessible way, sharing why it’s been so transformative for her personally and why it’s increasingly used in leadership, therapy, and spiritual formation. It’s a gentle, hope-filled episode about living an integrated life, bringing our whole selves into the light, and learning to lay down the day with honesty, gratitude, and grace. transcript Explore the Loved Called Gifted website If you'd like to get in touch, you can email Catherine at [email protected]  Join us on Facebook  

Sophie Killingley is a freelance artist who is passionate about the intersection of faith and creativity and breaking down the sacred/secular divide to explore the world as it is. Her work and cartooning are quirky offerings of humour and heart from her perspectives on mental health, Christian culture, and the daily realities of having a neurodivergent family. I discovered Sophie's work having been alerted to her presence in the world by a fellow parent of children with additional needs. When I came across her piece inspired by Vashti - the often overlooked woman in the biblical story of Esther, I immediately wanted to meet and record a conversation. Very grateful that Sophie said 'yes'. This is conversation that resulted. We explored life, finding your calling, neurodivergence, faith and the queen who dared to say 'no'.  Discover Sophie's work on her website here Transcript Have a look at the Loved Called Gifted website Find us on Facebook

Catherine talks with Anni Ponder and Kim Eckhart, who host a regular online meeting called “Finding Mama God”.   Both Anni and Kim describe how, independently, they have grown up in Christian churches which focused on the masculine aspects of the divine, and yet were drawn into a journey of discovering the transformative power of perceiving God as feminine, particularly through the lens of our motherhood.  How they met, and have been able to share together their experiences of deeply healing and empowering through their encounters with “Mama God”. They highlight the importance of creating spaces where this feminine divine can be openly acknowledged and celebrated, fostering a sense of community and shared experience, and how they have facilitated this with the establishment of their online “Finding Mama God” group of which everyone is invited to be a part.   You can find more about Finding Mama God at https://www.anniponder.com/finding-mama-god. Anni Ponders podcast can be found here: Barely Christian, Fully Christian Follow us on Facebook. Find a transcript here.  Have a look at our website.  If you have comments or questions, or want to get in touch, you can email: [email protected]

Catherine is joined once again by the wonderful Heidi Steele from Live Play Learn. Heidi’s an unschooling parent of four and a former teacher, and she shares what life looks like when learning happens naturally — no classrooms, no curriculums, just curiosity. They dive into how unschooling has supported Heidi’s neurodivergent family, what it means to unschool ourselves as adults, and how questioning old assumptions can lead to more compassion, joy, and freedom in everyday life. You can find more about Heidi at Live Play Learn. Follow us on Facebook. Find a transcript here.  Have a look at our website.  If you have comments or questions, or want to get in touch, you can email: [email protected]

Maria Skoyles, founder of Dorcas Dresses, shares her journey inspired by the biblical figure Dorcas, a dressmaker known for her acts of charity. Maria’s business supports women in financial hardship, providing them with sewing machines and training to establish their own businesses. Through her work, Maria witnesses the transformative power of empowering women, enabling them to bless others and create a ripple effect of positive change. You can find a transcript of this episode at lovedcalledgifted.com Find the Dorcas Dress Project here: https://dorcasdressproject.org/

Margret and Catherine take a look at the parables that Jesus tells in Luke chapter 15. The parable of the running Father is a beautiful case study of therapeutic parenting, helpful to all parents, particularly those with children with additional needs. You can find a transcript of this episode at lovedcalledgifted.com  To find out more about the And Breathe parenting course: andbreathe.org.uk  

What does God's mothering of us look like? What are the different ways that we experience the maternal embrace of the divine? This is the question that Joan Wright Howie explores with Catherine in this episode.  Joan is a minister in the Uniting Church in Australia. She is also a Spiritual Director and a professional supervisor.  Here is  Joan's Golden Thread website. The conversation she refers to can be found on The Golden Thread Untangled podcast. The link here is to Spotify. Transcript Loved Called Gifted website Facebook page If you'd like to get in touch, you can email Catherine at [email protected] 

In this wide ranging conversation, Catherine talks with Dr Laura Beres, who is Professor of Social Work, at King's University College at the University of Western Ontario. They talk about spirituality in the context of social work, narrative therapy, research into spirituality and resilience and COVID 19. What can we learn from the Celtic inspired practices of community of Iona? And from the Benedictine concepts of conversatio, obedience and stability. How might the idea of cloisters be helpful to us today? And why might a diary be a great spiritual tool? Transcript Want to connect? You can email Catherine at [email protected] Or join our Facebook Page. Or have a meander through the Loved Called Gifted website. Catherine's latest book, Finding God's Feminine Side is available on Amazon here. 

Sue Saunders is a PhD student, living in Dublin. She is exploring how spiritual practices could sustain climate change activists. In this conversation, she talks about Inner Development Goals, psychotherapy, quakerism, and finding the Divine in nature. She has developed a simple spiritual practice, she calls Natura Divina, which gives some structure and support to being in nature as a way of connecting with the divine. She shares how this practice has deepened her own spiritual experience and how she hopes it will help those engaged in climate activism.  You can find a transcript here. If you'd like to get in touch, you can contact us by email: [email protected] Or find us via Facebook  Here's where you can have a look at the website. And if you want to find Catherine's latest book, Finding God's Feminine Side, you can get to that via Amazon. 

**Catherine's new book, Finding God's Feminine Side is now available on Audible** In this episode of the Loved Called Gifted podcast, Catherine chats with Steve Kenyon—a dad, nurse manager, musician and former DJ—about his journey through faith, work, and identity. Steve shares stories from his childhood in Lancashire, his early experiences in nursing, and how his desire to make a difference led him into healthcare leadership. They talk about creativity, not just in the arts, but in problem-solving and leadership, and how Steve’s background in hospital radio and broadcasting still shapes how he connects with others. He speaks honestly about what it means to be genuine, the challenges of masculinity, and how he and his wife Katie navigate parenting and partnership as equals. At the heart of it all is Steve’s evolving relationship with Jesus—how his understanding has deepened over time into something intimate and rooted in love. The conversation is full of warmth, wisdom, and reflections on walking faithfully (and authentically) through life’s ups and downs. You can find a transcript here.  If you have thoughts, comments, feedback, or just want to get in touch, then drop us an email at [email protected] Or you can follow our Facebook page  **Catherine's new book, Finding God's Feminine Side is now available on Audible**  

Catherine remembers meeting God in a gift shop and muses about the fact that God is here now.  If you would like to get in touch, you can email: [email protected].  Episode transcript  You can connect with us on Facebook. Have a meander through the Loved Called Gifted website. 

Catherine and Stephen have been working on creating an audio-version of Catherine's book, Finding God's Feminine Side, and we thought this might be a good opportunity to give you a sneak preview! So this episode is a little different. It is a sample of the (hopefully) soon to be released audio book. With thoughts about the feminine nature of the Holy Spirit, God's maternal care, and the surprising metaphor of God's breasts. And if this whets your appetite and you would like to have access to the whole book, without waiting for the audio version, you are in luck! It is available now, via Amazon, in paperback and on Kindle. If you would like to see a transcript of this episode, you can find it here. If you have comments, or would like to get in touch, you can find Catherine via [email protected] And there is all sorts of interesting stuff on the Loved Called Gifted website, if you fancy a poke around.  You can also take a peak at our Facebook page if you like.     

Stories, ice, fire, poetry and the countenance of God upon the sea.  Paul Byrne is a full time children's worker at a church in Suffolk. He became fascinated and enthralled by the literature, the landscape and the stories of Iceland, when he was studying for his degree in history and literature. Now, several years later, having become a Christian, he is rediscovering his passion for Icelandic culture and finding God within it. In this conversation he shares his passion for Iceland, some beautiful Icelandic poetry and his thoughts about finding God everywhere.  Here are some links: You can find a transcript here, connect with us on Facebook, have a meander around the Loved Called Gifted website, or take a look at Catherine's new book, "Finding God's Feminine Side".  If you'd like to get in touch, drop an email to: [email protected]

Host Catherine Cowell is joined by Maria Garvey for a conversation about retirement, rootedness, and rediscovering the transformative power of community and presence. Maria shares her personal journey from a life of professional busyness to a slower, more intentional rhythm grounded in her local village. She explores themes of loneliness, the quiet revolution of love, vulnerability as strength, and embracing life with playfulness and authenticity. With wisdom, humor, and touching stories—including goose rescues, therapeutic clowning, and the quiet magic of shared tea—this episode is a celebration of the sacredness found in everyday connection. You can find a full transcript here.  If you'd like to get in touch, you can email Catherine at [email protected] Connect with us on Facebook  Find out more about what we get up to on the LCG website

Heather and Ben Cope have a lovely little studio in their home where they share their passion for music with lots of children with different special educational needs and disabilities (SEND). In this episode, they talk passionately about their love of music, about life as a blended SEND family and how they came to set up their CIC, Coping Together. They talk about the unique needs and abilities of every child who walks through their doors and how they adjust their approach to adapt to the needs and interests and passions of each individual. Their love for music, for the children they work with and for one another shines through this conversation. I already knew Heather and Ben because one of my sons has music lessons with them, as do the children of several of my friends and we all know that they are marvellous, but it was wonderful to have the chance to listen to their story. I hope you enjoy it as much as I did.   There is a full transcript of this episode here. You can contact the podcast at [email protected] and you can find our website here. It would be great to hear from you. You can also follow us on Facebook

Lucie Labadie is a dance artist. A few years ago, she began to learn about the menstrual cycle and the way that women's bodies travel through different phases, different seasons each month. In this episode she talks to Catherine about what she has discovered and how understanding her body helps her to live more in tune with it. There are times in the month when she chooses to prioritise rest and times for focus and activity. Times when she is more intuitive. She has learnt that some times in the month are better for making decisions than others. She talks about the beauty and the spirituality of the female body.  Let it Bleed! is the dance show that Lucie created collaboratively with a group of women to artistically explore and depict the journey through the different seasons of the cycle. She shares the inspiration for the show and the way it was created. You can find out more about Lucie and her work on her website, Lucielabadiedanceartist.com Find out more about Loved Called Gifted on the website. Connect through email at [email protected] or via Facebook.    If you would like to get hold of Catherine's new book, you can find it on Amazon.

Heidi Steel runs Live Play Learn, a hub and a community for unschooling parents. Unschooling is an approach to homeschooling that starts with the understanding that humans are born with a natural ability to learn and parents can provide the natural environment in which that can happen for their children. She is a qualified primary school teacher, and having worked in schools for 14 years, knew that she wanted something different for her own children. She talks about how unschooling has positively shaped the life of her family and provided the opportunity to create environments and learning opportunities centred around the individual personalities and needs of each of her children. Including where there is neurodiversity. She hosts the Unschooling Conversations podcast and you can find resources and information at liveplaylearn.org There is a transcript for this episode on the Loved Called Gifted website, where you can find out all sort of things about what I get up to.  You can connect with me on Facebook, or via email: [email protected].  

In the last episode, Catherine looked at the concept of Biblical Womanhood, and the fact that it doesn't really stand up to scrutiny if you start by looking at Jesus and his interactions with women. This time, she is joined by Sean Kennedy to consider manhood through the lens of Jesus, his life, his teachings and his interactions with the men around him. Spoiler alert: Jesus never once tells men they need to be in charge.  If you enjoy this episode and the ideas within it, you might like to read Catherine's new book: Finding God's Feminine Side, which is available on Amazon as both a paperback and a Kindle version.  Episode transcript Loved Called Gifted website Get in touch via the Facebook page or email us: [email protected]

What does it mean to be a “Christian Woman”? Over the years I have heard a lot and read a lot about what the ideal Christian Woman might be like. The notion of Biblical Womanhood is particularly prominent in certain sections of the church. One gets the picture of a quiet, submissive woman who’s good at needlework and making cupcakes. It’s an image that seems to be more about the ideal 1950’s housewife than it is anything in the Bible.    Perhaps it would make more sense, to start a conversation about Christian womanhood by looking at the life of Jesus. What was it like to be a woman and a disciple? What can we discover from the conversations between Jesus and the women he spent time with? What sort of womanly behaviour did he encourage?    In this episode, I explore those questions. And the answers turn out to be a bit different to the picture of ideal Christian Womanhood I have encountered elsewhere.  The new book mentioned in the podcast is now out and can be found on Amazon! Transcript To get in touch with Catherine, email: [email protected] Or you could connect with us on Facebook. Explore the Loved Called Gifted website.  

Gill Jarrett is a holistic massage therapist, working in Shrewsbury. She discovered her passion for massage while on her own healing journey out of domestic violence and into healing and wholeness. She is now passionate about helping others on their journeys. She shares her own story and her desire to see others find healing, in body, mind and spirit. She is qualified in Jing massage and is an Advanced Clinical and Sports Massage Therapist. She has conducted research into the benefits of massage and often runs workshops, like the one she did for the University of Staffordshire, which is where she and Catherine met. She has lots of wisdom to share about life, passion, purpose and the healing that comes when we find our way back to ourselves and back into our bodies.  Episode Transcript To find out more about Gill and (if you live near enough!) to find out how to go and get a massage yourself (highly recommended!) you can go to Gill's Facebook page.  You might like to follow the Loved Called Gifted Facebook page. Or have a look at our website.  

This episode of the "Loved Called Gifted" podcast, host Catherine Cowell is joined by clinical psychologist and author Naomi Fisher. They discuss Fisher's book "When the Naughty Step Makes Things Worse" and explore alternative approaches to parenting, particularly for children who don’t respond to traditional methods. There are lots of   relatable anecdotes and humour about the daily chaos of parenting, paired with Naomi's insights into navigating challenges with creativity. There is a full transcript available here. To connect with us, feel free to join in our Facebook page.  To find out more about Naomi Fisher and her work, go to: https://naomifisher.co.uk/ To find out more about the work that Catherine does with parents, go to the And Breathe website.  You can find the Loved Called Gited website here

Pete Lewin Newfoundlands is a remarkable charity that gives people the unique opportunity to swim with Newfoundland dogs. Pete fell in love with Newfoundlands when he learnt about their incredible abilities as water rescue dogs and their heroism. While working with them as water rescue dogs, he discovered the potential of his Newfoundlands to support people with their emotional and mental well being. He now takes all sorts of people swimming with his Newfoundlands, working particularly with people from the armed forces and emergency services, who have experienced trauma. The combination of time in the water with the dogs and swimming outdoors in the peace and beauty of the lake, are hugely beneficial. Pete shares his love for his dogs, the story of Pete Lewin Newfoundlands and something of his own experiences of working for many years as a paramedic.  Transcript To find out more about Loved Called Gifted and the things we get up to, have a peek at our website. You can also follow us on Facebook.  

Emily shares the story of her family, which includes birth children, children who are adopted and asylum seeking migrants, who they foster. She talks about her faith and God’s leading and provision through their remarkable journey. She mentions Home for Good and the impact their work has had on the wider church and discusses the dynamics of a large family. And trusting God each morning that there will be enough love for everyone. Transcript Explore the Loved Called Gifted website. Join us on Facebook Get in touch: [email protected]

Connective parenting is an approach to parenting that puts relationship and connection at the centre. It is based on NVR, which stands for Non Violent Resistance and has been enormously helpful for families facing extremely difficult behaviour. It contains within it principles that can be helpful beyond parenting, in all our relationships. Sarah Fisher is an adoptive parent and NVR practitioner. She created Connective Family, which provides training, coaching and advice to parents and professionals and has her own podcast, "Sarah Fisher talks connective parenting". To find out more about Sarah Fisher Visit the Loved Called Gifted website You can read a full transcript of the episode.  Join us on Facebook   Ed:  Oops updated audio file Sat 23 Nov 13:00 to fix missing audio around 6 mins mark - Stephen

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Back in July, Catherine released an episode called ‘Is God Feminine’, exploring the feminine images for God in the Bible and suggesting that if men and women are made in the image of the Divine, then we shouldn’t be surprised to find feminine names and imagery for God in the Bible. Hannah wanted to discuss the episode to find out more and to share both her enthusiasm and her discomfort with the idea of God as feminine. If you find this topic interesting and you'd like to know more, Catherine has a Medium blog in which she's been writing about this for a while.  Episode Transcript Join us on Facebook! Or visit the Loved Called Gifted Website.    

Sarah Clarke is a lecturer at the Church Mission Society (CMS) and has a particular interest in art as a way into the sacred. And the ways that art can facilitate expression in ways that words cannot. Full transcript We'd always love to hear from you. You can get in touch by connecting via our Facebook page To find out more about Catherine, her spiritual direction and coaching, go to the Loved Called Gifted Website

Catherine chatted with Jocie and Dave Twine, founders of the Life Project, in their caravan awning at the New Wine Christian festival this summer. They talk about the joys and challenges of life with their son Josh, who has autism and semantic pragmatic disorder. He also has a fantastic memory and an incredible singing voice. They set up the Life Project charity to support other families of people with additional needs and to create a community where everyone is welcome. They also talk about the surprising joy of being part of the disability community. You can find a transcript of the episode here It would be great to hear from you. You can get in touch via email: [email protected] or you can visit our Facebook page. To find out more about Loved Called Gifted, go to our website.

Catherine and Hannah talk about the lack of tacky Christian gifts in Criccieth, a fish called Brian and a cuddly sheep.  Mainly they discuss how we are less building sites to be constructed and more wild islands to be loved and nurtured. We would love to hear from you. You can find us on our Facebook page or email Catherine: [email protected]. You can find a transcript of the podcast here. For spiritual direction and coaching and to find out more about Loved Called Gifted, have a nosey around the website. 

Catherine and Margaret McGregor continue their conversation about PACE therapeutic parenting, reflecting on how this is both an excellent tool for the therapeutic parenting of children with attachment difficulties and other neurodiversity; as well as helping us to understand how God parents us and how we can be compassionate to ourselves. PACE (which stands for playfulness, acceptance, curiosity and empathy) was developed by psychologist Daniel Hughes. Find Transcript here  Loved Called Gifted website You can also connect and get in touch via Facebook page

In this episode, Catherine talks to Margaret McGregor about the place of play and playfulness in our parenting practice, our spirituality and how we see and relate to ourselves. The PACE parenting approach, devised by Dan Hughes, has been the cornerstone of trauma informed, therapeutic parenting practice for over twenty years. It stands for Playfulness, Acceptance, Curiosity and Empathy. This approach is also the basis of DDP therapy. You can find a transcript of this episode here. Contact Catherine at [email protected] Facebook page. Website

We are very used to thinking of God as He. With a capital ‘H’. There has not been much space in Christian tradition for viewing God as anything but male. The God of the Bible, we tend to assume, is entirely masculine. But, in fact, there is also a wealth of feminine imagery for God in the Bible, if you know where to look.  In this episode, Catherine takes a look at the rich portrayals of God in the Bible, including God as Mother and midwife. There is a full transcript here.  Connect with us on Facebook. Explore the Loved Called Gifted website, where you can also find out how to get in touch, if you'd like. It would be great to hear from you. 

Monasticism is not just for people who are part of a convent or a monastery. There are many people who are part of monastic communities while living normal, every day lives. One of these communities is that of the Benedictine Oblates, who seek to follow the rule of Saint Benedict. On International Women's Day, Catherine interviewed Jane Dicker, one of the first women to be ordained in the UK. In passing Jane mentioned being a Benedictine Oblate, and so for this episode she's back, discussing what that means and how it benefits her spiritual life. Whether it's something that's been intriguing you or something you've never heard of -- or even if it's something that's very familiar to you -- Jane's story has a lot to offer here, I think you'll enjoy it!

Glenn Hussey is the father of four adopted children and a senior lecturer at Keele University, in the school of Life Sciences where he also has a key role in equality, diversity and inclusion. In this wide ranging conversation he talks about his Roman Catholic faith, his belief in the importance of valuing every human being and the vocation of fatherhood. He talks about what he has learnt from his children, particularly his disabled son, and the importance of inclusion in school. He also discusses his sexuality, coming out as a bisexual man and the journey to adoption for him and his partner, who were the first male gay couple in Stoke on Trent to adopt. Transcript  Follow us on Facebook Explore the Loved Called Gifted website

Catherine meets Lillibet Goodwin, who shares her passion for working with children with special needs and her friendship with a young man with autism. She talks about her experience of having adopted siblings, what that has taught her about the importance of accepting and welcoming others, the therapeutic value of art, and meeting Jesus in those society so often ignores and marginalises. Here is a young woman who has found her lane easily and is looking forward to being able to progress in it, rather than -- like many of us -- someone who has only seen the pattern in the rear-view mirror. There's a quiet beauty and simplicity to Lillibet's story, and a mature faith, too. You won't want to miss hearing what she has to say! Transcript Follow us and comment on our Facebook page Find out about Loved Called Gifted and the other things we get up to on our website

Amy Weinland Daughters calls in from Texas to chat with Catherine about the vast number of letters she has written, and the book that followed. This is a story of deep friendship, that began when Amy decided that she would support a grieving mother by writing to her. It's a story of connection despite differences and God's grace in people's lives, but it's also secretly about being willing to indulge the crazy whims God sends our way in order to let God do something we'd never even dreamed of.  Amy's book is called Dear Dana: That Time I Went Crazy And Wrote All 580 Of My Facebook Friends A Handwritten Letter and this is the story of how it came to be. A story to make you laugh, make you cry (maybe), and make you think. You won't want to miss this one! I would love to hear from you, about this episode or any others. You can email: [email protected] Or connect on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/LovedCalledGifted And you might fancy a poke around the Loved Called Gifted website.  You can find Amy's Facebook page here And her lovely website here

Today Catherine is talking to Sarah, who is just embarking on a new adventure, and hoping to take others along with her. Diving into the STILL course, together they unpack some of the toolbox of techniques that Sarah has learned, that can help others manage anxiety and overwhelm, but also to pick up more slack where they are able to, too. And in between they talk about parenting, DIY, piano playing and managing departments in the NHS, in Catherine's usual inquisitive and friendly style. Sarah's email address if you would like to get in touch, is: [email protected] Podcast transcript Loved Called Gifted website Facebook Page

These days, people are often talking about 'being triggered' and there are trigger warnings on all sorts of things. But what do we actually mean when we talk about triggering? What is happening to us when it happens? And what can we do about it? For ourselves and for others.  There is a useful handout to accompany this show that you can find here. Transcript We'd love you to join our Facebook community The Loved Called Gifted website is here. If you want to get in touch, which would be delightful, you can do that from the website. 

Catherine meets Rev Rob Rogers, from Oxford, at St Aldate's parish centre. They talk about this city of contrasts, where those leaving prison and the homeless also live among the dreaming spires. Rob talks about the way community can bring help and healing.   Rob has been on both sides of the coin of homelessness and addiction, so as he and Catherine discuss his work with ACT (a charity working with prison leavers and the homeless, amongst others)  and ponder the question, when there's a volunteer serving a person in difficult circumstances, which one is really being Christ to the other in that space? Rob talks about creating community that will create safe spaces for people on their journeys, how addiction is usually a symptom of deeper trauma and how studying for ordination with CMS (Church Missionary Society) created space for him to step back from his activism to think more reflectively and how that has ultimately been helpful to his ministry. Follow us on Facebook Transcript Find out more about ACT Find out about CMS The Loved Called Gifted website    

2024 marks 30 years since women were first ordained as priests into the Church of England in England, and today for International Women's Day, Catherine interviews Jane Dicker, who has been there from the beginning. Together they discuss the joys and frustrations found along the way; Jane in the thick of it, and Catherine cheering along as an observer at the time. Along with, of course, how God is found in all of that. Jane also tells us about the book she's writing: The Misadventures of Mother Jane. Transcript Facebook page Website Things you'll find in this podcast: Florence Li Tim-Oi, first woman to be ordained in the Anglican communion, in Hong Kong; Benedictine Oblates; flying bishops; forward in faith movement

This episode, Catherine is visiting Hannah, who no longer has a bathroom office and has been thinking about the kinds of questions we ask people when we first meet them. Hannah would like to ask better questions.... It's always great to hear from people, so if you'd like to get in touch, you can find us on Facebook. Transcript More about Loved Called Gifted Catherine's book, that she mentions in the conversation

Godfrey Birtill has been singing and writing songs and producing albums at the rate of about one a year for more than 25 years. In this conversation, he talks about his unique musical style, his faith and his growing conviction that we don't need to earn God's love and favour. It is lavished upon us already. To really appreciate this episode, you are going to want to listen to some Godfrey Birtill, so there are some links to songs below.  ​There's a transcript of this episode here. Some of the songs mentioned in this episode: Living in the Unforced Rhythms of Grace It's a Wonderful Dance I am not disappointed   Do you believe what I believe about you? And here's one that's not mentioned, but is utterly beautiful: Entangled To find out more about Godfrey: Godfrey Birtill's website.  Would love to know what you thought of this episode. Maybe get in touch via the Facebook page? Or email [email protected] Loved Called Gifted website.

Catherine travels to Birmingham Children's Hospital to speak with Chaplain Andrew Phillips about his role supporting children, families and staff. He shares how he facilitates ways for them to cope with walking this hardest of paths, and also the way the children's own spiritualities are shaping him. Take off your shoes for this episode. You are on holy ground. Full transcript Connect with us on Facebook Explore the Loved Called Gifted website

Cathy Ross, from the Church Mission Society, shares her experience of being a woman and a missionary in the Congo. She also talks about her research into the hidden experience of missionary women in the 19th century and the influence of the concept of pious domesticity, both then and now.  Episode transcript About CMS Follow us on Facebook Loved Called Gifted website