AN EPISODE of The Documentary Podcast (World Service), “Changing Religion for Love,” released on 15 November, begins by describing how the US Vice-President, J. D. Vance, is married to a Hindu woman and prays for her to be converted to Christianity. The rest of the conversation features couples with partners from different religions. It is a fascinating discussion. Some partners have converted for love, while others happily embrace both faiths in their relationship. It charts the challenges posed by confused and dissatisfied parents, along with the deeper community bonds generated when interfaith relationships thrive.
A young man who might have faced difficulties had he chosen to marry outside his religion is Prince William. “William: The reluctant prince”, on The Slow Newscast (Tortoise Media), presents an intimate portrayal of the heir apparent — my future boss. We learn a little about his hopes to reform the scope and scale of the monarchy. People speak about their experiences of his work with the Passage, a homeless charity that his mother, Diana, Princess of Wales, supported. They describe how down-to-earth he is, and how he prefers to stay away from media attention when possible.
The podcast describes how, since the death of Queen Elizabeth II, the monarchy as a whole is under greater pressure and greater scrutiny, and the sacred aura surrounding those individuals appears to be fading. We also learn how William and his father have an “interesting” relationship — but that’s a common story.
In Darren Harriott: Father Figuring (BBC Sounds), episode one, “I’m Older Than My Dad”, presents a touching mosaic of a comedian reflecting on a difficult time when his father took his own life while serving a prison sentence. The podcast features conversations with the comedian’s hesitant mother, snippets of his stand-up routine, discussions with a therapist, and insights from family members. He is driven to understand his father better, and, in so doing, learns more about himself. It is a beautiful approach to engaging with the grief, and the gap that his father has left.
There is much discussion about young men and spirituality in a recent episode of Shut Up I’m Talking, which features “Alex O’Connor on death, meaning, and why our brains lie to us”. This podcast offers a mind-bending, chaotic, and occasionally sweary conversation. The hosts, young wisecracking lads, also possess a deeper, reflective side. Their guest, Mr O’Connor, is a social-media influencer who is focused on theology, philosophy, and more esoteric ideas. The podcast illustrates how discussions about mortality and eternity have moved beyond the walls of churches, as young voices such as Mr O’Connor’s shape the beliefs of younger generations. Engaging with these perspectives is crucial if the Church’s directive to grow younger is to be taken seriously.
As the year hurtles to an end, we are, perhaps, left wondering what 2026 will hold. Wonder no more. In The Bunker: News without the nonsense (Podmasters), the episode “Brave New World: Is 2026 our last chance?” features the deputy editor of The Economist, Tom Standage, discussing educated predictions about the year ahead. Topics include medical breakthroughs in dementia and weight-loss, advancements in artificial intelligence and hyper-personalisation of algorithms, and shifting geopolitical issues and conflicts around the world.