The World Needs More Poetry | Helen Smee, Director of Music
In the latest episode of our 'The World Needs More Poetry,' series, the Dean is joined by our new Director of Music, Helen Smee. Helen talks about her musical background, her family's artistic influences, and her roots in London, leading to her roles in Cambridge, London, and Oxford before returning to Southwark. She shares her deep connections with the Cathedral and her passion for her current role. Helen discusses her feelings about poetry, comparing its depth to music and other art forms.
The conversation delves into the selected poem 'The Holy Communion' by Henry Vaughan, analyzing its themes, structure, and musical adaptations. Helen articulates her love for metaphysical poets like Vaughan and their influence on modern composers.Â
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Episode 10 | The Dean in Conversation with Manni Coe on Rebuilding a Life
In the latest episode of the Southwark Cathedral Podcast, the Dean, Mark Oakley, interviews Manni Coe, on his recently published memoir, Little Ruins: Rebuilding a Life which delves into topics like suicide, sexual abuse, and addiction. Manni shares personal stories about his upbringing in Yorkshire and Berkshire, his relationship with his brother Reuben, who has Down's syndrome, and how he built a life in the Spanish countryside.
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Manni recounts finding a volunteer's body on his land, his own childhood abuse by a vicar, and the healing journey that followed. He also reflects on his strained relationship with his faith, the forgiveness he extended to his father, and his experiences with mental health. The dialogue emphasizes community, support, and the importance of confronting and healing from past traumas.
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Copies of Manni's new book, Little Ruins: Rebuilding a Life can be purchased from the Cathedral Shop.Â
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Episode 9 | What are the Psalms?
The Dean recently gave a talk on ‘What are the Psalms?’ Listen now to explore what the psalms are, when and why they were written, and how they speak to our faith today.
For those who wish to read more on this subject, the following books are recommended:
Charlie Bell: Searched Me Out and Known Me
John L. Bell: Living with the Psalms
Walter Brueggemann: Spirituality of the Psalms
Walter Brueggemann: Praying the Psalms
Pula Gooder: Journalling the Psalms – A Guide for Reflection and Prayer
CS Lewis: Reflections on the Psalms
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You might also like to watch three talks on Youtube by Walter Brueggemann called ‘The Psalms: The Hard Road from Obedience to Praise’.
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The World Needs More Poetry | Dame Mary Beard on Homer's The Odyssey
The latest podcast in our ‘The World Needs More Poetry’ series is a conversation between the Dean and Dame Mary Beard on her chosen poem ‘The Odyssey’ by Homer. Mary Beard is very well known as a Classicist and as a popular broadcaster and writer. In their dialogue together, we hear about the origin of the Odyssey, its main characters and themes, and are left to explore questions about the nature of heroism, the complications of returning home, of becoming an adult, and of understanding power.
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Episode 8 | The Truth About Modern Slavery with Emily Kenway
We recently hosted writer and activist Emily Kenway to give a talk aboout her first book, The Truth About Modern Slavery. Throughout the evening Emily addressed modern slavery, and its misrepresentation in political and cultural narratives. Kenway, an advisor to the UK's first anti-slavery commissioner, emphasises the difference between the real experiences of victims and the stories shaped for political motives. She discusses the conditions that foster exploitation, the misuse of the term 'modern slavery,' and how systemic issues like weak labour rights, poor regulation, and political convenience contribute to it. Emily uses examples like car washes, nail bars, and supply chains to illustrate inconsistent attitudes towards labour exploitation. She advocates for addressing systemic issues rather than focusing on sensationalized rescue efforts, stressing the need to understand and tackle the root causes of exploitation.
Welcome to the Southwark Cathedral podcast. Hosted by members of the Southwark Cathedral team, each episode delves into an area of our mission and opens up a side of our work beyond the pulpit.
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