In this episode, Julia speaks with Sir John Battle, a former government minister and passionate advocate for social justice, who shares his journey from seminary to politics.
John reflects on his early experiences in a working-class Irish family, his time in seminary, and how these shaped his commitment to community activism and public service. He candidly discusses the challenges of balancing family life with a demanding political career, the importance of grassroots movements, and the need for authentic relationships in politics.
Together, they explore the intersection of faith and public service, the complexities of modern politics, and the vital role of community in fostering change. John's insights on resilience, relationships, and the necessity of a shared voice for the voiceless offer a powerful reminder of the impact one individual can have on their community.
Visit www.thinkingfaith.org to learn more.
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29:09
14: Things I Wish I Knew About the Power of Pilgrimage
Julia speaks with Emma Hudson, the director of Pray as you Go, about her deeply transformative experience walking the Camino de Santiago... again!
Emma opens up about her journey of self-discovery, sharing the challenges of walking alone and the profound sense of community that embraced her along the way. Together, they explore the spiritual significance of pilgrimage, the emotional highs and lows, and the unexpected ways in which God met Emma during her journey.
Visit www.thinkingfaith.org to learn more.
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13: Things I Wish I Knew Before Embracing Adoption
Julia sits down with church leader Nigel Langford, who shares his journey of adoption just before the pandemic hit.
From the heartbreak of infertility to the joy and challenge of becoming a parent in lockdown, Nigel opens up about the misconceptions of family, the emotional highs and lows, and God's presence throughout it all.
Visit www.thinkingfaith.org to learn more.
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12: Things I Wish I Knew Before Trying Modern Dating
Julia chats with Delphine Chui about her dating journey, the power of a dating fast, and how faith helped her rediscover love.
They explore emotional vs. physical attraction, dating with intention, and building confidence in a digital world. A heartfelt conversation on self-love, resilience, and the lessons Delphine wishes she knew earlier.
Visit www.thinkingfaith.org to learn more.
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11: Things I Wish I Knew About Loneliness
If you’ve ever felt alone in a crowd or wondered what your loneliness is trying to tell you, this conversation is for you.
Fr. Justin Claravall, SJ joins Julia to explore loneliness in city life, how we’re trained to disconnect, and how our hunger for connection points to something deeper.
Visit www.thinkingfaith.org to learn more.
Welcome to Things I Wish I Knew! Inspired by St. Ignatius of Loyola, who believed in finding God in all things, host Julia Corcoran chats with guests about God at work in big life moments and what they wish they had known beforehand.
Dive in for heartfelt stories and reflections that may just inspire you to see things differently.
Discover more at Thinking Faith, the Jesuits in Britain CIO's online journal: www.thinkingfaith.org
UK