Brian D. McLaren is a very well known author, speaker, activist and public theologian and joined Abi from his home in Florida.

Brian works with Father Richard Rohr at the Centre for Action and Contemplation and is proud to be an activist!

We talk about Brian's new book Life After Doom, covering:

• how to welcome the reality of our climate crisis
• how to be contemplative and protect your mind and
• what's the problem with hope?

We also talk about the parable of the rich fool and the Lord's Prayer ..."may God's dreams for the earth come true."

Grace Hills has been digging up the grass verges, planting fruit trees and increasing the biodiversity on her street, with the help of her neighbours and their children. Abi met two of the children who are part of her Flower Fairies group, where Grace teaches them to enjoy and appreciate nature, and to do plenty of planting, despite living on a suburban housing estate!

If you’re a gardener this is a good episode to listen to whilst you’re doing some digging and planting, and if, like Abi, you appreciate nature, but don’t see yourself as a gardener, we know you’ll be inspired by the small steps that started Grace Hills on her guerrilla gardening journey. We also talk about being a neurodiverse Christian activist, a subject we'll return to soon!

You can find Grace on Instagram @sparkingcommunity

The book she mentioned is called Get Guerrilla Gardening by Ellen Miles.

You can find out more about guerrilla gardening here and there's a beginners guide here.

Rachel and Rich (authors of The Hopeful Activist) listen to Abi's interview with Dr Andy Knox, author of Sick Society.

Dr Andy Knox argues that our society is broken because we have built it on values that are not working for too many people. Sharing moving stories from the people he has met in his clinic as a GP, we see a system that is stacked against certain people in society and is profoundly unjust. Arguing against "hero leaders", and for hosting, listening and working together with love at the core, Andy challenges us to be outraged by the injustice in our society, and then do something about it.

To buy Sick Society visit Boz Publications.