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with Zara Janjua

Bestselling author Kate Mosse, converting for marriage, and Prof Diarmaid MacCulloch on the history of the church and sex. Plus the way faith will play a role in the US election.

Over the centuries, the church has had plenty to say on the subject of sex, sexuality and gender, sometimes tying itself in knots over them. These issues are explored in a new book, Lower than the Angels: A History of Sex and Christianity, by the eminent historian, writer and broadcaster Professor Diarmaid MacCulloch, who speaks to Zara Janjua.

Netflix series Nobody Wants This, starring Adam Brody and Kristen Bell, which was inspired by the writer鈥檚 conversion to Judaism, has been getting a lot of attention. But what鈥檚 it like to fall for someone who doesn鈥檛 share the same religion and culture as you, especially when one partner is committed to their faith? Vanessa Almeleh shares her story of meeting her future husband and taking on his faith.

Zara鈥檚 This Spiritual Life guest is the bestselling author Kate Mosse, whose action-packed novels often combine a magical mix of faith, history and feminism. The Map of Bones, the fourth book in her Joubert Family Chronicles series is no exception. As well as her writing, Kate talks about her upbringing and family life.

In the second hour, Zara delves into some of the big news stories of the last week, with author and anti-racism facilitator Briana Pegado, writer and theologian Greg Garrett and Islamic scholar Yahya Barry. They鈥檒l be looking at the news stories around the US election, in a week that has seen talk about reproductive rights from former first lady Melania Trump as well as widespread disinformation as a result of the tragic Hurricane Milton in Florida. They鈥檒l also be discussing the importance of reclaiming narratives, the theme of this year鈥檚 Black History Month. And after a modern art piece was mistaken for rubbish and almost thrown away in a Dutch gallery recently, Zara and her guests consider why some art is valued more than others.

22 days left to listen

1 hour, 55 minutes

Last on

Last Sunday 08:00

Music Played

  • Otis Redding

    (Sittin' On) The Dock of the Bay

    • Just The Two Of Us.
    • Universal.
    • 18.
  • Harry Styles

    Treat People With Kindness

    • Fine Line.
    • Columbia.
  • HAIM

    Now I'm In It

    • Women In Music, Pt 3.
    • Columbia / Sony Music.
  • Steve Winwood

    While You See A Chance

    • And I Write The Songs (Various Artis.
    • Debutante.
  • Celeste

    Stop This Flame

    • (CD Single).
    • Both Sides Records.
  • Prince & The Revolution

    Raspberry Beret

    • Prince - The Very Best Of.
    • Warner Bros.
  • Madonna

    Ray Of Light

    • Madonna - Greatest Hits Volume 2.
    • Maverick.
    • 10.

Broadcast

  • Last Sunday 08:00