Mid-faith Crisis
Religion & Spirituality
About
A podcast for every Christian who has ever asked ‘Is that it?’ Mid-faith Crisis explores the Christian faith with honesty and humour. If you feel that you have more questions than answers, if you feel as though your faith is changing, if you feel that if the worship leader sings that chorus one more time you will strangle him with his own guitar strap, then this is the podcast for you. Warning. Contains traces of theology and occasional innuendo.
Episodes
- Episode 370: The challenge of change
This episode of Mid-faith Crisis explores the challenges of change and the accompanying anxiety, focusing on the transitional period between endings and new beginnings. The discussion references Wilhelm Worringer, William Bridges, and Brad…
- Episode 369: Talking about transcendence
This episode of Mid-faith Crisis explores how to discuss mystical and transcendent experiences. The hosts delve into the motivations behind sharing these experiences and the difficulties associated with loaded terminology.
- Episode 368: ‘What if they were a bit saved already?’
The Mid-faith Crisis podcast discusses the personalization of the good news. It delves into assessing spiritual development and the varied forms salvation might take, with additional segments on birdwatching and joy.
- Episode 367: Emmaus experiences
This episode discusses truth and fakery, the simplicity and complexity of the good news, and how to encounter the risen Christ through art, music, and other people. Joe and Nick also share personal anecdotes.
- Episode 366: Defiant hope
Joe clarifies his theme for the year. The hosts discuss the meaning of Easter in a year of uncertainty and conflict, reflecting on current events.
- Episode 365: Happy New Year 2026
In this Mid-faith Crisis episode, the hosts review their previous year's themes and outline their intentions for the new year. Nick eats a doughnut during the discussion, and Joe shares his experience of attending a play.
- Episode 364: Joice at something you’ve never joiced at before
This episode of Mid-faith Crisis features Nick's apology and Joe's aspirations to be Supreme Leader. The hosts also delve into past discussions about sheep and goats and look ahead to a special New Year's episode.
- Episode 363: A case of the mubble fubbles
This episode of Mid-faith Crisis explores goals, training, handling overwhelming emails, and dealing with "mubble fubbles." It also references Nick's epiphany and Joe's attire for the occasion.
- Episode 362: Full of the joys of Lent
This episode of Mid-faith Crisis revisits genial sin and considers discipleship as an investment. The hosts also revel in the origins of the word 'Lent'.
- Episode 361: Cherish your twiddly buttons
This episode of Mid-faith Crisis discusses the role of the wilderness in spiritual life, particularly during Lent. It explores how wilderness can be a place for encounter and change, and a space to hear from God, referencing works such as…
- Episode 360: The one where we carry on talking about friends
This episode explores questions of friendship, specifically whether listeners are friends or followers of Jesus, if one can befriend a tree, and the nature of a "soul friend." The hosts also discuss Kate Bush and an incident involving Nick…
- Episode 359: What a friend we have in Jesus?
This episode of Mid-faith Crisis discusses metaphors for the relationship with Jesus, such as friends, followers, or slaves. The hosts, Joe and Nick, also consider how their relationship with Jesus changes over time and their own dynamic.
- Episode 358: ‘We’ve invented a new category of sin’
This episode of Mid-faith Crisis delves into the topics of grace, forgiveness, and justice. It examines whether all sins are truly the same and the nature of "serious sin," including a discussion on evangelical and Catholic views of sin.
- Episode 357: Sitting on an enormous grace hill
This episode of Mid-faith Crisis explores self-understanding and seasons of spirituality. It also delves into the idea that one can only fall into, not from, grace.
- Episode 356: No, you can’t get an Amen
The Mid-faith Crisis podcast returns with a discussion on grieving, names for God, and Jesus as a dance teacher. The hosts also read old emails from listeners.
- Episode 355: So, what have we learned?
In this episode, the hosts of Mid-faith Crisis reflect on three things they learned during the year. They also thank their listeners and supporters for the past year.
- Episode 354: Who do you say you are?
Joe and Nick discuss individual identity, how it affects relationships, and preparations for Christmas. They also explore the distinction between entertaining and hospitality.
- Episode 353: The birds and the bees with Ros Gleadow
Joe and Professor Ros Gleadow discuss the scale and impact of the climate crisis. They also explore potential actions to address environmental challenges.
- Episode 352: Repairing the world with Dave Tomlinson
Dave Tomlinson and Joe discuss difficult questions about God and faith. They explore how Christians can contribute to repairing the world.
- Episode 351: Fact-checking Christmas
This episode of Mid-faith Crisis discusses interpretations of Jesus' challenge, fact-checks various Christmas claims, and delves into Bible translations, noting the appearance of unicorns in the King James Version. The hosts also explore t…
- Episode 350: Jesus has gone all yoke
This episode of Mid-faith Crisis discusses spiritual lessons from Traitors, paraphrased Bible verses, and a near-death experience. It also references Daniel Swift, Patrick Grant, and a Mitchell and Webb sketch.
- Episode 349: One of our least worst episodes
This Mid-faith Crisis episode features an excerpt from a previous discussion on Nick's book, The Badly Behaved Bible. The conversation focuses on the inspiration of scripture and how interpretations can lead to problems, rather than the Bi…
- Episode 348: Boshing the Bible
This episode of Mid-faith Crisis focuses on the Bible, discussing its assembly and sharing significant verses and stories. The hosts also delve into a brief history lesson and some interpretations of Jesus.
- Episode 347: Happy birthdays and hard questions
This episode of the Mid-faith Crisis podcast marks their ninth anniversary and explores various Christian viewpoints on modern Israel. The conversation delves into the prevalent support among Christians for Israel, the appropriate response…
- Episode 346: You’ve got five minutes on the problem of evil
This episode of Mid-faith Crisis explores various theological topics including time, baptism, re-writing scripture, the omniscience of God, and the problem of evil. The hosts, Nick and Joe, also discuss other related subjects and personal…
- Episode 345: The uncontrolling God – an interview with Thomas Jay Oord
Joe interviews Thomas Jay Oord, a theologian and philosopher, who directs the Center for Open and Relational Theology. They discuss his faith journey, the concept of an uncontrolling God, and the interplay between science, religion, and th…
- Episode 344: Anger, and what to do with it
This episode of Mid-faith Crisis explores how to process anger, including reflective practice and anger related to grief and loss. The discussion includes an interview with psychotherapist Becky Francis.
- Episode 343: Being a person of peace
This episode of Mid-faith Crisis explores what it means to be a peaceful presence in the world, discussing practices and actions to stand up for what is right.
- Episode 342: An interview with a very famous author
Joe interviews a special guest about an article on the podcast. The episode also includes news and information regarding the 2026 Mid-faith Crisis Church Away Weekend.
- Episode 341: The Prayer Babel Fish
This episode of Mid-faith Crisis, titled "The Prayer Babel Fish," features Nick and Joe discussing the importance of small moments of joy and kindness, along with the necessity of creating everyday rituals to enrich life. They also share t…
- Episode 340: Redeemed Elected Christian Truth Using Men
This episode of Mid-faith Crisis covers prayer, ritual, and self-identification, as well as the joy of giving and the journey of transformation. The hosts also discuss celebrating spiritual and emotional successes.
- Episode 339: Revisiting nonviolence
This episode of Mid-faith Crisis revisits nonviolence, a key element of Jesus' teaching, and its adoption by the early church. The discussion also covers how to be a non-violent presence in the world.
- Episode 338: Do we need a second Reformation?
This episode of Mid-faith Crisis explores the historical Reformation and contemplates if a second reformation is due. Joe presents his arguments while Nick considers the concept beginning closer to home.
- Episode 337: The Sacramental Special
This episode of Mid-faith Crisis discusses the sacraments, including their origins, quantity, and practical applications for daily life. It explores different sacramental practices.
- Episode 336: Cynicism and how to avoid it
Mid-faith Crisis discusses cynicism, skepticism, and doubt, exploring what leads to cynicism and how to remain open to prayer. The episode also touches on prophetic bongos and Nick's apricots.
- Episode 335: A senior pair likely in their golden years
Joe and Nick discuss listener limericks about the Trinity, the climate crisis, and AI. They talk about the importance of being people who care and live lives of gratitude and action.
- Episode 334: An interview with climate activist Rev Tim Hewes
Rev Tim Hewes, author of "Finding Beauty Behind Bars," shares his experiences as a climate activist, including his arrest during Extinction Rebellion protests and his reasons for engaging in non-violent protest. He discusses his journey an…
- Episode 333: The return of Father, Son and Floaty Thing
This episode of Mid-faith Crisis discusses the topic of the Trinity. The hosts share their perspectives and refer to various theological resources during the conversation.
- Episode 332: Bill
In this episode, Nick reflects on saying goodbye to his dog, Bill. The discussion covers themes of joy, prayer, vulnerability, grief, and love.
- Episode 331: A lovely guy but so messed up
The Mid-faith Crisis podcast discusses listener feedback, the role of elders and gatekeepers, and the complexities of theological discourse. The hosts also examine the brevity of Jesus' life in the creed and draw parallels with the manager…
- Episode 330: Growing old disgracefully
This episode of Mid-faith Crisis explores the topic of growing older, discussing its impact on faith, the concept of becoming an elder, and adapting to new roles later in life. The hosts delve into the invitation of this life stage and how…
- Episode 329: ‘A certain against energy’
Joe and Nick of Mid-faith Crisis revisit an episode from 2017 to review the creeds they wrote. They discuss if their perspectives have shifted over the years and clarify facts about cauliflowers.
- Episode 328: I’m struggling with killing things
This episode covers a range of topics including the ethics of slug control, the 1700th anniversary of the Council of Nicea, and the nature of transformative experiences. The hosts also discuss confronting one's internal critic and theologi…
- Episode 327: Story eats doctrine for breakfast
This Mid-faith Crisis episode features Nick's reflections on Easter, emphasizing it as a story that gives pattern to life rather than just doctrine. The hosts discuss classic story shapes, the embodiment of the Easter story in baptism and…
- Episode 326: ‘The last word, always, is joy’
In this Easter special, Pastor Joe from Mid-faith Crisis reflects on the Easter story's themes of suffering, bewilderment, and joy. He discusses how these themes challenge listeners to live fully and recognize Jesus' presence throughout th…
- Episode 325: Re-Celebrating Easter
This episode of Mid-faith Crisis discusses celebrating Easter while experiencing a mid-faith crisis, focusing on Christian identity and potential ritual development from early church practices. It also likens the podcast to owning an old c…
- Episode 324: Baffled in a Christlike direction
Joe and Nick discuss themes of life, theology, complexity, fear, and uncertainty. They also explore the importance of storytelling and responding to fear.
- Episode 323: An interview with Bekah Legg
Bekah Legg is interviewed on Mid-faith Crisis, where she shares insights into the work of Restored with victims of domestic abuse and discusses her own experiences with loss and grief.
- Episode 322 : I would like to be your spiritual Stacey Solomon
This episode of Mid-faith Crisis focuses on the hosts' annual themes, reviewing the previous year's themes and establishing new ones. Joe also mentions receiving a positive birthday card.
- Episode 321: Stuck in a telephone box with only one headlamp
This episode of Mid-faith Crisis explores the relationship between culture, art, and the Bible. The hosts discuss how cultural norms and assumptions influence biblical texts and the creation of sacred texts. They also touch on the ongoing…