GoHealth Podcast

In this episode of the GoHealth Podcast, Gillian Straine, CEO of GoHealth, steps into a different kind of conversation. Rather than interviewing a guest, Gillian joins organisational consultant Wendy Ball for an honest, searching dialogue about what it means to lead well in a time of deep instability, in the church, in our organisations, and in the world.Wendy Ball works with impact networks and charities to strengthen their identity, shared vision and partnerships. Her work has been described as being ‘a life coach for organisations’ — accompanying leaders and teams as they give attention to relational culture and strategic intent. Together, Gillian and Wendy explore: The strain and burnout that leaders across sectors are experiencing. What ‘sane leadership’ looks like. Personal wellbeing rooted in theology.   The value of good practical systems. Gillian’s personal leadership journey.   The qualities of grounded, resilient leadership — including the courage to ask for help Wendy’s vision of ‘lovefare’: organising effectively for connection, justice and the common good. The full transcript of the podcast can be found here.People & Resources Mentioned Margaret Wheatley — Who Do We Choose to Be? Facing Reality, Claiming Leadership, Restoring Sanity Simon Sinek — Start With Why (concept of beginning with purpose) Professor Jim McManus — Head of Public Health and Wellbeing for Wales, former President of GoHealth Tucker Miller — participatory leadership practitioner; quoted on asking for help as a quality of trustworthy leadership Martin Luther King — ‘Those who love peace must learn to organise as effectively as those who love war’ Wendy Ball’s work — find her via linktr.ee  and sign up to her mailing list to learn more about her lovefare work. About GoHealthGoHealth is an organization with a vision to enable churches and individual Christians to be a healing presence in the world. The GoHealth Community offers online courses, monthly gatherings, and a supportive space to explore how to connect faith and health.Connect with GoHealth: Join the GoHealth Community Join the conversation about vulnerability and impactful leadership

In this deeply moving conversation, Trystan Owain Hughes shares his journey of undertaking a 140-mile pilgrimage across North Wales while living with chronic pain, and the unexpected second pilgrimage that followed when his back injury worsened dramatically. Drawing from his latest book "To Hell's Mouth and Back: Pilgrimage, Suffering, and Hope," Trystan explores how vulnerability in leadership, finding meaning in suffering, and noticing "God winks" in everyday moments can transform our understanding of healing and hope. Key Topics DiscussedThe Physical Pilgrimage The Pilgrim's Way: 140 miles across North Wales to Bardsey Island (Ynys Enlli) Undertaken eight years after major back surgery (titanium bolt between vertebrae) Challenges included knee injury, getting lost, bad weather, and ongoing chronic pain Five elements that define pilgrimage: suffering, wonder of nature, friendship, dependence on God and others, and signs from God The Second Pilgrimage: Recovery Extreme back pain returned the day after completing the walk Spent a month largely confined to a red sofa Explores the "pilgrimage mindset" - finding the same sources of hope whether on a 140-mile walk or a 30-yard walk to a lake Viktor Frankl's insight: suffering expands to fill whatever space we're in, regardless of size Goldfinch Moments: Noticing God's Presence The goldfinch as a traditional Christian symbol of healing "God winks" - moments when God prompts, directs, or comforts us Carl Jung on synchronicity: "People don't see God in their lives because they don't look long enough" Scientific backing from neuroscientist Tara Swart and the concept of spiritual intelligence Ancient Places and Celtic Spirituality The healing shrine of St. Winifred at Holywell Remote churches, healing wells, and crosses along the route Welsh concepts: Heddwch (outer peace) vs. Tangnefedd (inner peace) R.S. Thomas's "confetti moments" - small instances where hope, love, and joy break through Vulnerability in Leadership Why Trystan chose to share his personal story after seven previous books The challenge of being defined by disability rather than seen as a whole person New criteria for Church in Wales ministry that emphasizes vulnerability and weakness as strengths "We don't want Superman in our churches. We want Lois Lane's, Clark Kent's - real people who are vulnerable, open, and compassionate" Resources MentionedBooks: "To Hell's Mouth and Back: Pilgrimage, Suffering, and Hope" by Trystan Owain Hughes "Finding Hope and Meaning in Suffering" by Trystan Owain Hughes Other references: "Man's Search for Meaning" by Viktor Frankl "The Signs" by Tara Swart Dylan Thomas's "Under Milk Wood" Carl Jung's work on synchronicity Edith Eger (Holocaust survivor and psychologist) David Gray's album "Life in Slow Motion" About GoHealthGoHealth is an organization with a vision to enable churches and individual Christians to be a healing presence in the world. The GoHealth Community offers online courses, monthly gatherings, and a supportive space to explore how to connect faith and health.Connect with GoHealth: Join the GoHealth Community Join the conversation about vulnerability and impactful leadership

 In this conversation, Rt. Revd. and Rt. Hon. Dame Sarah Mullally talks to Gillian Straine about her life, her models of leadership and the ways that holistic healing has shaped her approach to service as a nurse and a priest. It is an inspiring and hopeful encounter for anyone concerned with the future of the church, for how leadership can be both humble and powerful, and how the church can meets the needs of the world today.  +Sarah and Gillian explore: Bishop Sarah’s reflections on saying “yes” to the call to be Archbishop of Cantebury and discerning vocation. How her nursing background shapes her ministry and leadership style. The importance of holistic health and rhythms of wellbeing for clergy and leaders. Servant leadership in practice—and its challenges in a culture of power. Cultural change in safeguarding and creating safe spaces in the church. Practical ways churches can engage in social prescribing and community health. Bishop Sarah’s hopes for the church and the nation as she steps into her new role. Find a transcript of this episode on the GoHealth website here. Join the GoHealth Community: www.gohealth.org.uk Look out for our upcoming reflective course based on this conversation, launching ahead of Bishop Sarah’s installation.

 Revd Dr Gillian Straine talks with dance movement psychotherapist Rachel Michael, founder of Embodied Perspective and author of Embodied Prayer as Mission: Our Response to Cultural Change. Rachel shares how dance, faith and therapy meet in her work — helping people reconnect body, mind and spirit through gentle movement, awareness and prayer. Together, they explore how the body can become a sacred space for healing, how trauma and emotion are held within us, and how embodied practices can deepen our relationship with God. A beautiful and thought-provoking episode on rediscovering our bodies as instruments of prayer and transformation.  In this episode Rachel and Gillian explore:  Dance as expression: Rachel discovered early on that movement can express what words can’t. From stage to healing: She shifted from professional dance to dance movement psychotherapy, helping others connect body, mind and spirit. Healing through movement: Gentle awareness of posture, breath and gesture helps release emotion and restore balance. Working with trauma: Movement can safely unlock feelings held in the body, bringing freedom and integration. Embodied prayer: Rachel links movement and Scripture — especially Psalm 139 — to explore the body as a place of encounter with God. Rediscovering the body in faith: Many Christians learn to ignore the body; Rachel invites us to see it as sacred and central to prayer. Faith meets science: The conversation celebrates how research on spirituality and neuroscience echoes ancient Christian wisdom about embodied prayer. Links: Transcript for the episode can be found here Join the GoHealth Community: www.gohealth.org.uk Embodied Perspective Embodied Prayer as Mission (Grove booklet)  GoHealth LiFT course - where we explore the importance of movement

In this episode of the GoHealth Podcast, CEO Gillian Straine sits down with Dr. Shola Oladipo, a registered dietitian with nearly 30 years of experience, researcher, pastor, and CEO of Food for Purpose. Shola’s pioneering work sits at the intersection of faith, food, and health — equipping Black Majority Churches and wider communities to embrace culturally relevant approaches to health and healing. Together they explore: Shola’s story of food, family, and faith growing up in the Pentecostal church. The Rest–Digest–Reset project and how it is reshaping health through community co-design. The unique health challenges facing Black, African, and Caribbean communities — and what mainstream health systems often overlook. Why “cultural relevance” matters so much in healthcare. The deeper barriers to health, from chronic stress and hypertension to the “weathering effect.” How church leaders can be powerful agents of change — while also needing care themselves. The theology that helps us connect faith with health, and how slowing down to “find the pace of God’s love” can itself be an act of healing. About our guest: Dr. Shola Oladipo is a registered dietitian, doctoral researcher, and the founder of Food for Purpose (FFP CIC). She has created the award-winning Healthy Church Initiative and partners with churches, NHS trusts, and local councils to tackle health inequalities. Her PhD research focuses on how Black Majority Church leaders can influence health behaviours and build healthier futures. Links and resources: Find out more about Shola’s work: Food for Purpose Join the GoHealth Community: www.gohealth.org.uk

What is Spiritual Intelligence and what does it have to offer in the times that we are living through? This is the central question in this fascinating conversation between Mark Vernon and GoHealth Podcast host, Gillian Straine.  Together they explore: Spiritual Intelligence in contrast to Artificial and Emotional Intelligence What difference Spiritual Intelligence makes to our lives Whether or not Spiritual Intelligence is an individual or communal pursuit What Spiritual Intelligence looks like in practice How Spiritual Intelligence can bring healing and wholeness Episode Links: Full transcript for this episode can be found here Mark Vernon’s book Spiritual Intelligence in Seven Steps  Mark Vernon’s book Awake- William Blake and the power of the Imagination  Mark is teaching on a Foundation course with the Temenos Academy  GoHealth Spiritual Intelligence Course Join The GoHealth Community Share your requests for prayers for healing.

In this first episode of our brand new series we dive deep into the heart of Character Strengths and Virtues with our special guest, Dr. Roger Bretherton — clinical psychologist, psychotherapist, coach, and a thoughtful Christian voice in the field of wellbeing and spiritual intelligence. Together, we explore:   What are character strengths and virtues?  How can we recognise, strengthen, and heal the weaker parts of our character?  How can we reframe adversity and suffering through the lens of character development?  Where does faith fit in — is it a master character strength?  How does this all connect to holistic health, and our new LiFT and Spiritual Intelligence courses? Roger also shares his own journey into this work, the thinkers who’ve influenced him, and a practical tips you can try to strengthen your own character. Links: Roger Bretherton - Bio | VIA Institute GoHealth – Encouraging Health and Faith

We continue our 2025 season on Belonging and Healing with an inspiring conversation between Gillian and Anglican priest, Father Luigi Gioia. This is a rich and profound episode where they go deep into lived experience and the reality of what it means to pray for healing. The Rev. Dr. Luigi Gioia is the Theologian in Residence at Saint Thomas Church Fifth Avenue, New York City, and Research Associate at the Von Hügel Institute at the University of Cambridge (UK). He is the author of Say It To God. In Search of Prayer. The Archbishop of Canterbury Lent Book 2018 (Bloomsbury 2017), and The Wisdom of St Benedict. Monastic Spirituality And The Life Of The Church (Canterbury Press 2021). His books have been translated in six languages.  TW: Mentions suicide. Together they discuss: Why pray for healing? The difference between being cured and being healed. What is happening for people at Lourdes. The healing sacraments. The place of death in prayers for healing. The difference between acceptance and resignation. The importance of community in healing experiences. Father Luigi's own very personal current experience of praying for healing. Links: Transcript for this episode is available on our website. Join The GoHealth Community Share your requests for prayers for healing.

Gillian begins our 2025 season on Belonging by talking with Prof John Swinton, Professor of Practical and pastoral theology at aberdeen university. John is an registered mental health nurse, ordained minister and noted theologian, researching particularly in areas of mental health and dementia. He is also President of GoHealth, and a musician, recently releasing an album Beautiful songs about difficult things.  Together they explore:  Countercultural presence  Absence because of mobile phone use  Getting comfortable with disruption in church  Mental health in terms of discipleship and vocation  Moving from ‘fixing’ to friendship.  Theology of the Psalms of lament.  Spirituality of darkness.  Helpful and harmful anger.  Solastalgia.  Belonging as being missed.  Learning to be kind.  The Denis Duncan Lecture 2025  Links Join The GoHealth Community Here Beautiful Songs about Difficult Things by John Swinton  Register here for the Denis Duncan Lecture Full transcript available here. Follow the GoHealth Community on our socials @guildofhealth

What is ours to do? We've been deep in this theme of Creation Cares for a number of weeks as a GoHealth Community. In this episode Gillian talks with Clare Fussell from Operation Noah about what we can do in response, and what we can leave undone! Clare Fussell joined Operation Noah in January 2024. Clare has a background in coordinating environmental campaigns, with experience leading The Climate Coalition, managing Christian Aid’s Campaign Team, and being Environmental Adviser for Bristol Diocese. She is passionate about linking Christian faith with environmental action, and enjoys learning about permaculture and biodiversity through her role as trustee of Hazelnut Community Farm in Bristol, as well as through the eco work at her church. Clare is married to Luke, a renewable energy engineer, and they have two young children.  In their conversation together Gillian and Clare explore: Would Clare's teenage self imagine she would be doing what she is doing now Responding to the Climate crisis by balancing the big scene with small actions How Operation Noah has been supporting churches through the Bright Now campaign. What churches can do in response to climate change and biodiversity loss. Why climate change and environmental concerns are not a side show to the main purpose of the church. Clare's three tips for avoiding activist burnout as a Christian engaged in climate justice.  Links: Operation Noah The Hazelnut Community Burning Down the House Report - Tearfund The Lost Words by Robert McFarlane and Jackie Morris Borrowed Time - A Green Christian project The Loss and Damage Campaign - Christian Aid COP29 - United Nations Conference of the Parties

What in Creation caught your attention today? Do you have a sense of why that might have been? These are some of the many questions explored in this beautiful conversation between Gillian Straine and Steve Aisthorpe. Steve is the Director of Kilmalieu, a retreat centre on the west coast of the Highlands, part of the Abernethy Trust. He is a coach, retreat leader and author of The Invisible Church (SAP, 2016) and Rewilding the Church (SAP, 2020). He was previously a mission development officer for the Church of Scotland and Executive Director of the International Nepal Fellowship.  Together, Gillian and Steve explore Kilmalieu retreat centre – what is distinctive about its approach. How folk attending the centre connect with the rugged landscape around them. How being at Kilmalieu benefits people. The three ways of seeing. The threshold prayer. How connecting with nature cultivates resilience in the face of the climate crisis. Rewilding the Church - Steve's book. How folk listening can practice nature connection today, wherever they are.    Episode links: Kilmalieu website Abernethy Kilmalieu Facebook Kilmalieu Instagram  GoHealth Creation Cares series Join the GoHealth Community Facebook and Instagram: @GuildofHealth 

 Spending a long time gazing at a flower with a small child, having your hands covered in soil and being held by a fresh water lochan. These are just a few of the ways the GoHealth team share their experiences of nature connection in this special episode.  In this special episode we hear from members of the GoHealth team, chair of the board and a member of the GoHealth Community about their connection with Creation. Some of these reflections were recorded a few years ago just as we were emerging from lockdowns as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic. A time when many of us were rediscovering a connection with nature.  May listening back to these reflections help us remember and retrieve that connection if it has since faded.  Graham Fender-Allison shares a precious moment in his garden with his wee boy. Steve Coles tells us about an exciting farm project he and his wife have set up and five things he has learnt in the process.  Gillian Straine describes how her labour of love in her back garden has helped her uncover deep wisdom about faith. Gregory expresses his love and thirst for the outdoors. Wendy Lloyd compares the cleansing of fresh water swimming with the satisfaction of having soil under her nails in the garden. Links: GoHealth Creation Cares series Join the GoHealth Community here. Wild & Other  

Learning from the wisdom of Zen meditation. In this episode Gillian chats with the Revd. Chris Collingwood, a Christian Priest, former canon of York minster and Zen master.   The conversation explores the following:  Chris explains how he felt called to be a priest. What Zen is. How Chris got interested in Zen. How he became a Zen Master. How Zen practice fitted with his role as a canon at York Minster. Christian theological connections with Zen and how it differs. How Zen impacts on how people relate to the world. The experience of non duality.  How Chris responds to folk in spiritual need - does he draw more on his Zen practice or Christian faith? The practice of compassionate non judgement towards others and ourselves. The one thing that Chris offers as encouragement to listeners. Links: Chris's book: Zen Wisdom for Christians. The GoHealth Everyday Healing Course Get your GoHealth journal here. Visit our website to get connected with the GoHealth Community. Find us on our socials @GuildofHealth 

Revd Ian Spencer helps us heal from a long history of bodies being denigrated by the Church. Drawing on wisdom from the Gospels, Zen wisdom and from Yoga, Gillian and Ian offer us a transformative body based way of knowing.  The episode explores: Ian's biography including Mindwell Ministries (you can read this in full on the GoHealth website: gohealth.org.uk/podcasts/healing-histories-embody/) Ian shares what inspires him spiritually today. Gillian and Ian get into the sad history of the church in relation to bodies. Incarnation!  The importance of relationship with all things in our overall health. Avoiding overwhelm and the impact we can have in the healing of the world. Body based knowing. Ian provides a really practical example of how to develop body based knowing. Links: Transcript is on the GoHealth podcast page gohealth.org.uk/podcasts/healing-histories-embody/ Mindwell Ministries The body keeps the score, Bessel Van Der Kolk The GoHealth Everyday Healing Course Get your GoHealth journal here. Visit our website to get connected with the GoHealth Community. Find us on our socials @GuildofHealth 

There are few stones left unturned in this episode. The Revd Dr Dan Inman, Precentor of Chichester cathedral, leads us on a pilgrimage through liturgy, buildings, arts and pilgrimage itself. TW: Gillian and Dan also get into a delicate conversation about the handling of a specific historic alleged abuse case regarding Bishop George Bell.      Dan shares what a Precentor does.  Cathedrals as more than a quirky english moving museum.  How cathedrals and the liturgy provide a healing space for many. How the George Bell abuse case was handled impacted the naming of places and spaces. The possibility of liturgy helping to heal the wounds of historic abuse. Pilgrimage, the why, what and where of pilgrimage for Dan. Where Dan finds hope for human flourishing, as a Precentor. Links: Chichester Cathedral Bishop George Bell's name restored to Chichester Cathedral building - BBC News British Pilgrimage Trust Scottish Pilgrimage Routes Forum Alastair Mcintosh Poacher's Pilgrimage The GoHealth Everyday Healing Course Get your GoHealth journal here. Visit our website to get connected with the GoHealth Community. Find us on our socials @GuildofHealth

How do we heal the history of racism when it is still so present and prevalent? Gillian explores this difficult question with the Revd Dr Sharon Prentis. Revd Prentis is Deputy Director of Church of England’s Racial Justice Unit. She is also a tutor in theology and in her previous work was recognised by the Department of Health when she was named as a Mary Seacole Scholar for a project on faith and the impact on health.    Together they cover the following themes: What it means for people to thrive. Institutional health practices and what needs to change. How the Church of England's Racial Justice Unit came to exist. The whole person impact of racism. The daily reality of living with racism including code switching. Healing the history of the slave trade. The role of the church in healing racism and enabling the flourishing of all in our societies. Sharon's personal story of how she came to engage in the work of honest dialogue.  What gives her hope to keep on keeping on. Links: From Lament to Action report by the Church of England. Every Tribe, by Sharon Prentis The GoHealth Everyday Healing Course Get your GoHealth journal here. Visit our website to get connected with the GoHealth Community. Find us on our socials @GuildofHealth

Gillian and Associate Professor Mark Roberts tackle big questions, including the nature vs nurture? Mark shares insights from research into bananas and microbes, and much more, to make this a hopeful and fascinating episode where they explore: What genes are and how they influence who we are.  The discovery of genes and history of genetic study Genes being like an on-off switch in simple terms. Genes, illness and disease. Genes help us survive in our context. What Mark wants us all to know about genetics. How the tiniest detail can tell us about how the world works. Links: The GoHealth Everyday Healing Course Get your GoHealth journal here. Visit our website to get connected with the GoHealth Community. Find us on our socials @GuildofHealth

Be inspired by a conversation exploring the healing power of psychotherapy and where it sits within Christian spirituality.  In this second episode of the Healing Histories series we share a conversation with Susanne Hyde, Director of the St Marylebone HCC.  In their conversation, Gillian and Susanne cover the following topics:  What is psychotherapy?  What powers psychotherapeutic healing and why is safety important in this approach to healing?  What governs why some people seem to make repeated bad choices?  What is trauma and how can therapy help?  How to engage in the process?  How do religion and spirituality relate to psychotherapy? Trauma and healing Do you have hope that healing is possible?  From the world of psychotherapy and faith, what one thing would you like people to know that might help them if listening today has raised questions.   Links: Episode Transcript will follow soon St Marylebone HCC: St Marylebone HCC Psychotherapy - St Marylebone The GoHealth Everyday Healing Course Get your GoHealth journal here.

Be inspired by the roots of healing in the early church. Find out how healing was so linked to the growth of Christianity. Consider how we can be a healing presence today by learning from those who have gone before. We hope you find this an uplifting and hopeful podcast episode! In this first episode of the Healing Histories series we share a conversation with Professor Amanda Porterfield, professor of religion at Florida State university and author of ‘Healing in the history of Christianity’ Could there be anyone more perfect to launch this new podcast series from GoHealth? We don't think so. In their conversation, Gillian and Amanda cover the following topics:  Why Amanda wrote her book, ‘Healing in the History of Christianity.’  The reason healing played such a large part in the early church.  The history of christian healing in cultural context.  What Amanda means by the word ‘healing’ and 'miracle.' How the church might heal from its sometimes harmful history.  How Amanda views the future of healing in the Christian faith.  The role of Community in making the world a better place.  Links: Episode Transcript available here. Amanda Porterfield 'Healing in the History of Christianity.' The GoHealth Everyday Healing Course Get your GoHealth journal here. Recent report on social factors and health

What is going on in our brain when we experience pain? Are emotional, mental and physical pain the same? Is it all in our heads after all? In this episode of the GoHealth podcast we take a deep dive into the topic of pain, what it is and how to live with it, with Professor Amy Wachholtz. Prof Amy Wachholtz is an Associate Professor in psychology at the university of Colorado where she is the director of health psychology.  She specializes in talking a bio-psycho-social-spiritual approach in identifying ways to improve pain management including in palliative care, acute medical care, chronic pain and addiction.  She is a psychologist who doesn’t just sit in the university but has a license to prescibe, working with patients in care, including those with cancer, chronic pain and at end of life. She is also holds a masters in divinity and has worked as a chaplain.   Gillian and Amy cover: How Amy got into the field of pain research. What is pain? Why we sometimes don't feel pain even when injured in some way. The relationship between physical, emotional and mental types of pain. The need for a holistic and integrated approach to main management. How faith influences living with pain. The Ken Pargament Model of the role of religion in pain tolerance. How church can help people living with pain. Being empowered to live with pain. Links: Find out more about Amy's work a the Wachholtz Lab Visit our website to get connected with the GoHealth Community. Find us on our socials @GuildofHealth