大象传媒

Recent research has revealed the influence that Medieval Christian thinkers had on society鈥檚 views of women. Alexandra Zhirnova from Trinity College, Cambridge, whose paper unearthed the findings, and Laura Kalas, Senior Lecturer in Medieval English Literature at Swansea University, join Tony Kearney to explain the impact still being felt today.

Scotland has a rich tapestry of accents and dialects. A recent study even claimed that Shetland鈥檚 accent is the most difficult in the world for actors to emulate. Dr Sadie Ryan, a Lecturer in Languages and Intercultural Studies at the University of Glasgow and the creator of the Accentricity podcast, discusses their role in shaping our identities, and the connections between who we are and how we speak.

Catherine Coldstream entered a Carmelite monastery at the age of 27. Initially finding the peace and spiritual focus she had searched for, she became increasingly aware of the restrictions and power struggles within the life she had chosen. She talks to Tony about her life and her recently published memoir 'Cloistered: My Years as a Nun'.

Tony is joined by Luke Devlin, a member of Catholic Worker Movement and Director of the Centre for Human Ecology; broadcaster Fiona Stewart, who runs a Christian Arts charity; and Talat Yaqoob, an Equalities and social research consultant and a practising Muslim, to discuss some of this week鈥檚 stories from an ethical and religious angle.

Ambition and a strong work ethic have always been associated with success, but for people in their 30s and early 40s those opportunities haven鈥檛 been there. Tony and his guests explore why some are choosing not to work only to live and are turning their back on burnout and consumerism, and opting for a life rich in choices of their own.

Scientists and philosophers have long speculated on the origins of the universe, what we humans are beyond our physical bodies, and where our consciousness comes from. Tony and the panel look at the growing interest in Panpsychism, a theory that consciousness is present throughout the entire universe, and how it fits with our traditional understanding of God.

Following primary school head teacher Ruth Perry鈥檚 death by suicide last year, much attention was given to Ofsted鈥檚 downgrading of her school from outstanding to inadequate. Recently the former head of Oftsed, Amanda Spielman, has been defending that Ofsted report, and has highlighted the dangers of not being able to have difficult conversations. The panel go beyond public services like schools, and explore if we as a society are less willing and able to have difficult conversations.

And as Ramadan draws to an end, they look at the importance of giving and how that can be influenced by faith.