I recently reviewed and recommended Justin Brierley’s book, The Surprising Rebirth of Belief in God. If you enjoyed the book and want to explore further, or if you prefer listening over reading, I highly recommend the accompanying long-form podcast. In this series, Brierley engages in thoughtful conversations with some of the thinkers he references in his book, offering listeners a chance to explore the new ideas and intellectual currents that suggest a shift in the public conversation about faith and a renewed interest in belief in God.

The podcast provides an insightful overview of these thinkers and delves into the key trends Brierley identifies as indicators of this shift. He begins by discussing the rise and fall of new atheism, setting the stage for a broader exploration of the changing landscape of belief. In many episodes, Brierley invites his guests to share more about their intellectual and spiritual journeys, offering a deeper understanding of their perspectives. One particularly compelling conversation is with Paul Kingsnorth, a writer whose journey from environmental activism to Christianity is both fascinating and moving, and Martin Shaw, a storyteller and mythologist with a intriguing account of his journey to faith. You can listen to it here.

The podcast is rich with content, great for anyone who enjoys intelligent and thoughtful discussions on the interaction between faith and contemporary ideas. While some may commit to listening to every episode as they’re released weekly, many of us can simply dip into the topics that resonate most. Some posts last nearly two hours. Whether you’re interested in the relationship between science and faith, the reliability of and historical evidence for the Bible, the fine-tuning of the universe, the impact of the sexual revolution, or the relevance of neuroscience to the search for God, as just a few examples, there’s something here for you.

I particularly enjoyed the episodes where Brierley engages directly with these thinkers. His conversation with historian Tom Holland is a standout, as is the episode with the likeable atheist Alex O’Connor in Edinburgh, which was surprisingly moving at times.

Brierley is a passionate host, a great listener, and a skilled conversationalist. His approach is winsome and intellectually engaging, and he critically examines the views of his guests. This is crucial, as some individuals rediscovering the Christian faith also seem to be drawn to more conservative, right-wing traditions—a valid perspective, but many of us who seek God’s different kingdom feel Christians must rise above the polarities of modern politics.

Even if you don’t agree with all the views expressed by Brierley’s guests, however, their ideas offer a fascinating glimpse into how God might be moving in our time. The podcast is a valuable resource for anyone looking to understand the current landscape of faith and the new conversations emerging around belief in God.