´óÏó´«Ã½

Every funeral is poignant, but that's especially true for people who pass away anonymously, unclaimed by family or friends. The Lonely Funeral project is being trialled in Dundee by poet Andy Jackson and independent funeral celebrant Michael Hannah – aiming to offer people who have no mourners at their funeral a recitation of a meaningful poem written for them.

Wherever we look there are tinsel, lights and carols, but for some non-Christians it may be a challenging time of year. When confronted with the season's blatant commercialism, how do you handle Christmas if it is not a celebration included in your own faith? Academic in Islamic studies Yahya Barry shares his perspective.

Fergal Keane has worked as a ´óÏó´«Ã½ foreign correspondent for over three decades, reporting from places like Hong Kong, Kosovo, South Africa, Rwanda and Somalia. His new book The Madness: A Memoir of War, Fear and PTSD explores his complex relationship with trauma, and what draws him back to the frontlines.

The Harry & Meghan series on Netflix has raised issues around racism in society. So how do religious institutions navigate the topic of racism? Have these challenging conversations sometimes been avoided, and if so what has been lost for those of faith and their communities? Cathy talks to Yahya Barry, plus Reverend Aaron Moffat-Jackman of St Peter's Episcopal Church, Musselburgh.

In this week’s episode of ´óÏó´«Ã½ Three series Planet Sex with Cara Delevingne, the actor and model goes to her first Pride and parties at the world’s biggest lesbian festival. Cathy will be joined by community development worker and co-founder of QTIPOC+ club night Mojxmma - Mahasin Ahmed, and Jules Stapleton Barnes – co-director of Somewhere: For Us, an LGBTQ+ arts, culture, heritage and enterprise podcast and magazine. They talk about the value of queer spaces and how they can work to become more inclusive.

There has always been a strong religious element in Christmas movies of the past. Most contemporary productions steer clear of overt religion, but themes of hope and goodwill toward others, which are fundamental Christian principles, are still emphasised. Cathy is joined by critic Gareth K Vile to discuss how religion feeds into the story structure of our favourite festive flicks.

Also, a chance to hear another of our 100 Scottish Stories – this week from Tom Lucas who shares the tale of his globetrotting father.