Marilynne Robinson’s new book 'Reading Genesis' is a profound meditation on the first book of the Bible. In it she explores both its greatness as literature and its rich articulation of themes that resonate through the whole of scripture and human history – the problem of evil, God’s relationship to humanity, the nature of creation.In this conversa…

Are the old confederate prison and cemetery in Alton, IL haunted? An oversized episode with a Very Special Guest. The old prison and Confederate cemetery are two of the most haunted places in one of the most haunted places in Illinois, Alton. Prisoners died and were buried in unmarked graves. Some say their spirits linger on. Is it haunted? Listen …

Is Emily’s Bridge Haunted? Emily’s Bridge, also known as Gold Brook Bridge, in Stowe, Vermont is considered by many to be one of the most haunted places in the state. Some say the ghost of a scorned lover haunts the bridge, but others say it’s just a story. Listen and decide! Questions Discussed in this Episode Where is Emily’s Bridge? What is the …

On 6th December 1964, Dr Martin Luther King Jr preached to a packed St Paul’s Cathedral. On a flying visit on his way to Norway to collect his Nobel Peace Prize, he addressed a congregation of 4,000 people on The Three Dimensions of a Complete Life, providing the British public with a rare opportunity to hear him in person. Afterwards he gave a pre…

The Venerable Bede (c. 673 – 735) was the foremost scholar of the Middle Ages. A saint, historian, scientist, social reformer and translator of the Bible into English, he never left Northumbria but his impact was felt all over the Christian world. Fascinated by human nature, his writing reveals a man of vibrant curiosity with deep empathy for human…

Autumn 2024 will see one of the most significant pieces of art in our collection back on display inside St Paul’s following a period of conservation work: William Holman Hunt’s The Light of the World. Discover the story behind this beloved and well-travelled painting in this podcast episode.Di St Paul's Cathedral

Is King Tut’s Tomb Cursed? The finding of King Tut’s Tomb with its thousands of preserved artifacts gained worldwide attention and curiosity about Ancient Egypt. After several deaths, it also led to speculation that Tutankhamun’s tomb is cursed. Is it? Listen and decide! Questions Discussed in this Episode Who was King Tut? How did he die? Where is…

Is the Notre Dame Cathedral in Paris Haunted? The Notre Dame Cathedral is one of the most beloved landmarks in Paris. It is also considered one of the most haunted. With its gargoyles and gothic architecture, the cathedral design makes it easy to imagine more than just a hunchback bell ringer in the towers. Is it haunted? Listen and decide! Questio…

The Revd Paula Hollingsworth examines Jane Austen’s spirituality, faith and values through her novel 'Pride and Prejudice'. Paula Hollingsworth is Chaplain at St Paul’s Cathedral, and the author of 'The Spirituality of Jane Austen' https://www.eden.co.uk/christian-books/christian-living/christianity-and-the-arts/the-spirituality-of-jane-austen/…

The Revd Paula Hollingsworth explores Jane Austen’s life and faith, looking at her major novels and the spiritual themes that run through them.Paula Hollingsworth is Chaplain at St Paul’s Cathedral, and the author of 'The Spirituality of Jane Austen' www.eden.co.uk/christian-books/c…y-of-jane-austen/…

The bells of St Paul’s are a sound familiar to many who find themselves in the City of London, and the stories behind them reflect our rich history. Great Paul, Great Tom, the clock bells, the 12 change ringing bells, and the service bell – find out about them all in this podcast episode. Produced and presented by Douglas Anderson.…

Is the Bastille Prison Haunted? The Bastille Prison in Paris, France was one of most politically charged features of the French Revolution. It’s also considered one of the most haunted places in Paris. Is it? Listen and decide! Questions Discussed in this Episode Where is it located? Why was it built? What famous people were held there? How did it …

Is the Pere Lachaise Cemetery Haunted? The Pere Lachaise Cemetery in Paris, France is one of the largest cemeteries in the world. It’s also considered one of the most haunted cemeteries in the world. Is it? Listen and decide! Questions Discussed in this Episode Where is it located? Why was it built and who commissioned it? What famous people are bu…

Was the Wizard of Oz Cursed? The Wizard of Oz is the most watched movie in history, according to the Library of Congress. Many also consider it one of the most cursed productions in history. Is it? Listen and decide! Questions Discussed in this Episode What do we know about the author of the book? Was the book immediately popular? How did the book …

While Pat is out on medical leave, Rebecca gets to take over! She shares two creepy ghost stories for your listening scariness. Enjoy! Story 1 – “The Phantom Coach” by Amelia B. Edwards A man lost in the moor finds more than he planned for when trying to get home to his wife. Story 2 – “And Who Shall Say –” by Richard Middleton Two children experie…

We live in times that challenge hope. Climate change, pandemic, racism, war and injustice: in the face of these, where we find hope is an urgent question. Susanna Snyder says hope is not just optimism that things will turn out alright, if not in this world then in the next, but is something much more present, supple and resilient. She will explore …

A talk by renowned biblical scholar and womanist theologian, the Reverend Professor Wilda C. Gafney on the story of Hannah and Peninnah in the Hebrew Bible. Professor Gafney is the Right Rev. Sam B. Hulsey Professor of Hebrew Bible at Brite Divinity School in Fort Worth, Texas. She is also the author of 'A Women’s Lectionary for the Whole Church' a…

While Pat is out on medical leave, Rebecca gets to take over! She shares two creepy ghost stories for your listening scariness. Enjoy! Story 1 – “A Haunted House” by Virginia Woolf A haunted mood short story Story 2 – “The Screaming Skull” by F. Marion Crawford A longer short story by an American writer, who traveled often to Italy. This skull is o…

Are the Paris Catacombs Haunted? The Paris Catacombs hold the bones of over 6 million dead. Some claim those souls haunt the tunnels. But do they? Listen and decide! Questions Discussed in this Episode When and why were the tunnels created? What movie was filmed in the caves? Who are the cataphiles and why do they choose to explore where they aren’…

How do we build a movement of the people of God? If we turn to the earliest days of Christianity, we can find wisdom for how we can mobilise as Christians working for social justice today.Drawing as well from the great Liberation Theologians including Gutierrez, Cone and Black feminist theologians, Anupama Ranawana examines the connections between …

Is the Castle of Good Hope in South Africa Haunted? The Castle of Good Hope has a long, dark history. From the Grey Lady to Lady Anne Barnard, there is no shortage of ghosts here. Or are there? Listen and decide! Questions Discussed in this Episode When and why was the Castle built? How has it evolved over the years? Why was it important to the Dut…

Kate Bottley talks about her own life and faith; about hope, being human, having doubts, getting through life’s hard bits, celebrating the great bits, and finding meaning and connection in it all.Di St Paul's Cathedral

Is the Driskill Hotel in Austin, TX Haunted? The Driskill Hotel in Austin has been chosen as one of the most haunted hotels in Texas. Its original owner made his money from the Civil War and many believe that blood money has led to tragedy and ghosts. Is it haunted? Listen and decide! Questions Discussed in this Episode How and why was the hotel bu…

Canon of St Paul’s Cathedral for 33 years, John Collins was a remarkable priest and social reformer who was one of the world's leading proponents in the causes of justice, freedom and peace. Discover more about Collins’ life, work and activism in this podcast episode.Produced and presented by Douglas Anderson.…

Time for Skeptics Day 2024! Skeptics Day this year is all about The Mandela Effect. Pat invited skeptic Nick Mataragas and Rebecca invited believer Anthony Collaro to help us talk about those weird false memories (or alternate universes?) we all seem to experience. How do you remember the Monopoly man? Questions Discussed in this Episode What is th…

Is the Tower of London Haunted? The Tower of London in England is known as one of the most haunted places in world. Since its beginning in the early 11th century, it has spent most of its years as a prison, a grand palace, a torture chamber, and a place of execution. Many of its residents have been royal prisoners who died for their beliefs or loya…

When St Paul’s was constructed under the stewardship of Sir Christopher Wren, it was by a male dominated workforce – almost exclusively male – except for one woman: Jane Brewer, who cast and polished the golden pineapple found on the Cathedral’s south west tower. Find out more about Jane, and the curious pineapple architectural details to be found …

Why do some places feel full of spiritual meaning and some feel desolate? There is a rich understanding of place in the Bible, which is full of stories of the surprising places where God is encountered, often interwoven with hospitality and welcoming the stranger. Andrew Rumsey will explore what place means in our spiritual lives, in the search for…

Is the St. Augustine Lighthouse Haunted? The St. Augustine Lighthouse in Florida is known as one of the most haunted places in America. Several deaths have occurred on this land over the years, leading many to claim to have experienced paranormal events. Is it haunted? Listen and decide! Questions Discussed in this Episode How did St. Augustine bec…

Selina Stone and Paula Gooder explore the practice of tarrying - waiting on God – which is at the heart of Selina Stone’s Lent book Tarry Awhile: Wisdom from Black Spirituality for People of Faith, the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Lent book for 2024.They talk about favourite Bible stories about tarrying including Gethsemane, Jacob and the Angel, and …

Is the Historic Anchorage Hotel Haunted? The Anchorage Hotel appears on many “Most Haunted Alaska” lists. With an unsolved murder and a jilted bride said to still live there, many claim to have experienced paranormal events. Is it haunted? Listen and decide! Questions Discussed in this Episode How did Anchorage become a city? What was life like whe…

On the 7th May 1913, the Suffragettes brought the fight for women’s votes to St Paul’s, when a plot to blow up the Bishop’s throne was narrowly foiled – after a Virger found the ticking bomb at the Cathedral’s east end. This podcast episode explores this fascinating story, and how it was reported at the time. Produced and presented by Douglas Ander…

James Baldwin is best known as a novelist and essayist, but he grew up in the church, steeped in scripture, and was a celebrated preacher when he was young. Though he later criticized the church, it gave him his vision of the world. Jarel Robinson-Brown introduces his life and work, and explores how he can help us as Christians to broaden our horiz…

Anderson Jeremiah and Paula Gooder talk about Jesus in the Bible, in history, and in our lives. They explore his suffering, death and resurrection, how much stories and images of him matter, and how we can live as disciples of Jesus today.Di St Paul's Cathedral

Does Walt Disney Haunted this Earth? Walt Disney spent his life creating magical animation and theme parks. Some say his ghost can be found at Disneyland to this day. Listen and decide! Questions Discussed in this Episode Where was Walt born? What inspired his animation and career? How did he reimagine animated shorts and movies? What was his plan …

John Donne is one of England’s greatest poets and preachers, famed for lines such as, ‘No man is an island…’ and ‘Never send to know for whom the bell tolls, it tolls for thee.’ He is also a former Dean of St Paul’s, and certainly one who lived many lives in one lifetime. Produced and presented by Douglas Anderson.…

Jacob Mayfield is back to help Ghostly and our listeners get ready for the new year! Using Jacob’s new book Tarot Odyssey, we are learning how to use Tarot to not just predict the future but help us manifest our future. Listen and learn! Tarot Odyssey by Jacob Mayfield – Buy Now Tarot Odyssey provides a foundation for understanding how to use Tarot…

Is the Red Lion Pub in Chicago Haunted? The Red Lion Pub is known as one of the most haunted places in Chicago. Mondo and his wife Jeanie from Haunted Emporium Magazine join Ghostly to talk about the Lavender Woman, Dirty Dan, and more paranormal events. Is it haunted? Listen and decide! Questions Discussed in this Episode When was the original Red…

Christmas at St Paul’s in 1940 was as normal as it could be, considering it was wartime. This, however, would all change on the night of the 29th December during a bombing raid of the city. This was the time when one of the most famous photographs of the Second World War was taken – one of St Paul’s appearing through the smoke of the surrounding fi…

The Bible is full of angels, from the cherubim in Ezekiel’s visions, to the strangers appearing to Abraham, to the messengers that bring the good news of Jesus’s birth to Mary and the shepherds in the Christmas stories. Paula Gooder explores what angels are and what they do in the Old and New Testaments.Dr Paula Gooder is Canon Chancellor of St Pau…

Bishop Arun Arora and Canon Paula Gooder share their passion for Advent, explore why Advent is the season for a ‘spiritual MOT’, and also reflect on some of the inspiring stories of faith, from Stormzy to Santa, in his new Advent book 'Stick With Love'. They talk about the difficult questions to be faced about unanswered prayer, finding hope instea…

Is the Moon River Brewing Company in Georgia Haunted? The Moon River Brewing Company in Savannah, Georgia has a long history of paranormal activity. Not only is it located in one of the most haunted city’s in the United States, it has reported ghostly happenings on every floor. Is it haunted? Listen and decide! Questions Discussed in this Episode W…

Is the Poinsett Bridge Haunted? Sticker Mule is where Ghostly gets our amazing custom stickers for our events. The Poinsett Bridge in South Carolina has a long history of paranormal activity. It’s also named after Joel Roberts Poinsett, the namesake for the Poinsettia Christmas plant. People claim to see ghostly figures and hear strange noises. Is …

Bob Gilbert talks about the wonders of inner-city nature, the pleasure and inspiration to be drawn from observing and connecting with the everyday, and explores whether it's possible to feel as close to God in the ordinary streets of a city as in the natural world.Bob Gilbert is an urban naturalist, broadcaster, author and a long-standing campaigne…

‘One sometimes finds what one is not looking for…’Undoubtedly one of the greatest in a pantheon of great Scots is Sir Alexander Fleming, whose discovery of penicillin in 1928 revolutionised medicine, and has saved millions of lives. Today, a memorial plaque in the Crypt of St Paul’s marks the place where his ashes were laid to rest.Produced and pre…

Is Resurrection Mary Real? Resurrection Mary was Ghostly’s first episode. Five years later we are revisiting our favorite Lady in White with our friend Anthony Collaro. He has one of the best stories of Mary we’ve ever heard. Actually, he has a few about her and about Bachelor’s Grove. Help us celebrate five years of Ghostly with an amazing intervi…

Is the Crown Point Jail Haunted? Sticker Mule is where Ghostly gets our amazing custom stickers for our events. Their custom stickers are the fastest and easiest way to promote your business, product, or event. The Crown Point Jail has a history of paranormal activity. It’s also where John Dillinger was held and escaped. In this special episode, Gh…

Is Ohio State Reformatory Haunted? The Shawshank Ohio State Reformatory is considered one of the most haunted prisons in the United States. Many young people were sent here and later were forced to mix with hardened criminals without the best result. Now visitors claim to see shadow people and experience paranormal activity. Is it haunted? Listen a…

Artificial intelligence is in the news. Eve Poole and Paula Gooder talk about what AI really is and whether we should be frightened by it, hopeful, excited or all three. They explore the role that philosophers and theologians need to have in developing AI, and why it draws us into the big questions about existence: What does it means to be human? W…

Is Shrewsbury Prison Haunted? The Shrewsbury Prison is considered one of the most haunted prisons in England. It was the place of many executions and now people claim to see shadow people and experience paranormal activity. Is it haunted? Listen and you decide! Questions Discussed in this Episode When was this prison built? What was the philosophy …