The William Temple Foundation Podcast

In this episode, Simone Kotva speaks about deep time, religious apocalypse, and the ‘end of the world’. She makes the case that what we believe is potentially much less important than spiritual exercises and practices of attention for encouraging ecological concern.

In this episode, Cecil Abungu explains some of the philosophy of longtermism, and how it ties in to both the effective altruism movement and the study of existential risk. He also explores a variety of African perspectives on longtermism, suggesting how western voices might learn from indigenous thought when discussing the distant future.

Michelle Bastian raises some possible concerns with deep time thinking. She introduces a wide range of different ways of thinking about time, and reflects on some of the links between time and power. Are some of the popular engagements with deep time causing more harm than good?

Manjana Milkoreit discusses the importance of imagination for thinking about the future. From climate fiction to dystopian film, she digs into what such creations reveal about our current priorities in the present—and why such imaginings need to be grounded in diverse communities.

In the first episode of Deep Time: Visions of the Earth’s Future, Richard Fisher explains what ‘deep time’ is and why people have become so interested in the long-term view. From Zoroastrian fires and Shinto temples to the concept of ‘cathedral thinking’, he also unpacks some of religion’s relationship to deep time.

Canon Kathryn Fitzsimons, Anglican priest of two parishes in highly contrasting areas of Leeds, reflects on some of the costs to challenging poverty and inequality in the city, and engaging with power structures to bring meaningful change.

Jamie Jones Buchanan, interim Head Coach of Leeds Rhinos Rugby League club, reflects on how sport can transform lives and outlooks for those facing their troubles, and the vital role of local sports clubs as beacons of hope and inclusivity.

Rev Dr Carol Tomlin reflects on her Leeds childhood as part of the Windrush generation, and how her role as both an academic educator and a Pentecostal minister allows her to address racial injustice across society, academia and the church.

Simon Phillips discusses his work as an interfaith leader and community engagement officer with Leeds Jewish Housing Association as both the Jewish community and wider city seek to develop compassion in the context of racial and economic injustice.

Mary Brennan talks about her work as a Leeds Poverty Truth Commissioner and the impacts poverty has on peoples' lives and wellbeing in her local neighbourhood of Cross Green.

Tom Riordan, Chief Executive of Leeds City Council discusses how his childhood experiences have shaped his values and leadership approach in the face of the challenges and opportunities facing Leeds and the North of England.

Andrew Grinnell, co-director of the Poverty Truth Commission Network, describes the gifts and the wounds he has encountered whilst living alongside those experiencing poverty.

Mark Tan, intensive care doctor in Manchester, explains how understanding medicine as an act of faith helps deal with the uncertainty of a global pandemic. (Apologies for the poor sound quality on parts of this recording.)

Anderson Jeremiah discusses how being a Dalit has shaped his theology, and his work on the Archbishops' anti-racism taskforce.

Maria Power describes her own experience of The Troubles in Northern Ireland and explains how it has had an important influence on her academic work on peacebuilding.

The writer and theologian Andrew Graystone reflects on his work of accompanying those who have survived sexual abuse within the church.

Atmospheric scientist Katharine Hayhoe recounts some of the troubles she has faced when talking about climate change with evangelical Christians and political conservatives.

Irene Tuffrey-Wijne, Professor of Intellectual Disability and Palliative Care at Kingston University and a longstanding member of the L’Arche community, reflects on troubles of trust, grief and COVID-19.

Tobias Cremer discusses the troubling relationship between religion and the new wave of national populist movements.

Jarel Robinson-Brown describes the troubles he’s faced as an academic researching the African origins of Christianity and as a Christian member of the LGBTQ community.