The Southwark Cathedral Podcast

Recorded live at Southwark Cathedral as part of the Cathedral’s Lancelot 400 celebrations, this episode features a lecture by former Archbishop of Canterbury Rowan Williams exploring the preaching and legacy of Lancelot Andrewes.

What makes a sermon more than an explanation? And how can words, images and imagination help us encounter something beyond ourselves?

Williams explores Andrewes’ distinctive approach to preaching, his fascination with the richness and ambiguity of scripture, and the relationship between preaching, prayer and sacramental life. Along the way, he considers what made Andrewes such an influential preacher, and why his approach to language continues to resonate centuries later.

In this episode of the Southwark Cathedral Podcast, Canon Precentor Kathryn Fleming is joined by Cathedral archivist Guy Rowston and Cambridge PhD student Anika Goddard to explore the life and legacy of one of the most influential figures buried at Southwark Cathedral. From his distinctive approach to preaching and worship, to his role in the creation of the King James Bible, they consider what made Andrewes such a fascinating and sometimes surprising figure. What did he believe made a good sermon? Why was liturgy so important to him? And what can his approach to language, prayer and worship tell us today?

The conversation forms part of Southwark Cathedral’s programme marking 400 years since Andrewes’ death.

In this episode of the Southwark Cathedral Podcast, the Dean speaks with Sam Hole, author of Nourishing Prayer: A Handbook to Holy Communion, about the meaning and mystery of the Eucharist. They explore why liturgy can sometimes feel unfamiliar or inaccessible, what repetition has to do with prayer, and how the familiar words and actions of Holy Communion can reveal something new each time.

Along the way, Sam shares some of the ideas behind his new book, from the imagery woven into the Eucharist to the different ways we might understand what happens when we gather, receive and are sent out again.

In this episode of the Southwark Cathedral Podcast, David Mooney, Chief Executive of London Wildlife Trust speaks to the Dean about the importance of protecting and restoring nature in London.

David reflects on his journey from teaching to conservation and introduces the work of London Wildlife Trust, from managing nature reserves and restoring habitats to creating new spaces for wildlife across the capital. He discusses the importance of volunteers, partnerships and public engagement, as well as the need to help people reconnect with nature in an increasingly urban environment.

In this episode of the Southwark Cathedral Podcast, recorded live in August 2026, professor Adrian Thatcher discusses his new book Ending Abusive Theologies. 

He argues that, alongside safeguarding processes, the Church of England must also examine its theology and the ways in which certain teachings can cause harm. Drawing on his work on sexuality, gender, race and power, Thatcher explores the impact of shame, exclusion and harmful interpretations of scripture. He challenges biblical literalism, places Jesus at the centre of Christian faith, and considers how the Church should respond to difficult passages about divine violence in the Hebrew Bible.