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We live in a world that is beautiful but brutal. No-one knows that more than war reporter Clarissa Ward, who has spent nearly two decades reporting from front lines around the world: from Syria, Iraq, Iran, Afghanistan to Yemen, Ukraine, Israel and Gaza. Within hours of Hamas’ terror attack on October 7, Ward traveled to the site of the Tribe of Nova music festival and Be’eri kibbutz massacres. Two months later, Ward and her team visited a UAE-run field hospital in southern Gaza as victims – young and old – poured in to receive treatment from wounds sustained in Israeli strikes. Ward was on the ground in Ukraine as Russia began its invasion in February 2022 and has since spent more than five months crisscrossing the country to cover the now two-year war. Clarissa Ward is  recipient of the National Press Club’s most esteemed prize, the Fourth Estate Award, and is the author of ‘On All Fronts: The Education of a Journalist’ (Penguin Press), a memoir that details her singular career as a conflict reporter and how she has documented the violent remaking of the world from close range.

The author Corrie Ten Boom wrote: "When a train goes through a tunnel and it gets dark, you don't throw away the ticket and jump off. You sit still and trust the engineer." That perspective on faith sounds all well and good in theory, but what does it actually look like in practice? I never cease to find it deeply humbling to speak with people who are right in the middle of that darkness and yet their trust in God remains. Patricia is most definitely one such person and I know that you will find this episode both deeply moving and hugely inspiring.

I've been off the airwaves for 18 months (I hope you've missed me?!)....and what better way to make a return to podcasting than to talk to the wonderfully inspiring Darleen Santore, known to those she helps as "Coach Dar". Author, speaker and mentor to global leaders, CEOs and athletes, Dar has helped thousands of people across the world with her message of resilience and purpose. Now she has captured her story of bravery and comeback in the book "The Art of Bouncing Back". It's really very good: you should buy it and read it. But first, sit back and enjoy this brand new episode. Here's to bouncing back!

Leader and lecturer Doug Holladay's life path has taken him from degrees at top universities to Goldman Sachs, then on to the White House and serving at the US State Department as a special ambassador to South Africa. He has met a lot of people and seen a lot of leadership along the way. What he's witnessed is that, all too often, "successful" people end up experiencing emptiness, isolation and depression as the unintended fruits of their very achievements. His new book, and this conversation, focus on how we all might go about "Rethinking Success".

A career in food was always more tempting than school for Camilla Stephens, who left halfway through her A-levels to attend Leith’s School of Food and Wine. She spent the next few years working in catering before joining Good Housekeeping magazine. Next came travel in America where she fell in love with coffee culture: returning to the UK, Camilla then  developed the food range for the Seattle Coffee Company and Starbucks.   In 2003, the newly freelance Camilla set up the Higgidy brand, making handmade pies near her home in West Sussex. Today, the company range is available in most major food retailers.  The business may have grown, but Camilla’s home-cooking philosophy and use of kitchen cupboard ingredients remain at the heart of the Higgidy kitchen.  Camilla is married to James; they have two teenage children, Kate and Jack and a golden retriever who is very aware of being the most popular member of the family.   

My guest on the "Faith with Haith' podcast this week is Rachel Hughes, the Lead Pastor of Gas Street Church in Birmingham (alongside her husband Tim):  a brilliant communicator who is passionate about seeing young women released into leadership. She has recently pioneered a national ministry alongside her sister, called ‘The Orchard’, with the aim of encouraging and empowering women.  Rachel can also be found inspiring families into fostering & adopting, all whilst also raising five young children; Phoebe, Simeon, Lois, Judah & Summer. 

Next time you get a letter from  a bishop you'll see their signature has a plus-sign by their name: it's symbolic of the blessing of the Cross. But its also perfectly apt that it's a plus-sign, because that person is someone who has dedicated their life to bringing addition and positivity to all the people around them.  None more so than this week's guest on the "Faith with Haith" podcast: +Rob is a man with a  great mind and a kind heart who works tirelessly to make this world a better place. (And I promise I'm not just saying that because he's my boss....)

How does a lad from the suburbs of Stockholm end up negotiating for equitable use of resources in the Middle East? How does a self-confessed sauna addict  advocate for peace and understanding in transboundary water disputes in North Africa? And where does faith fit into all of this, and a busy family life, for this week's guest on "Faith with Haith"?  Ladies and gentlemen, I give to you: the mighty viking, and lovely man, Anders Jagerskog.

Terl Bryant is not only one of the kindest men you will ever meet, he is totally cool and insanely talented: he would have to be in order to play for, amongst others, Pete Murphy (Bauhaus), John Paul Jones (Led Zeppelin) and Peter Gabriel. We became firm friends in the early '90s when I was asked to drive the bus for his band at the time, Iona, on  the Irish leg of their tour. By some miracle we all survived: his drumming ability and my driving licence both remained unscathed. This episode of the "Faith with Haith" podcast is many things, but it is mainly two old friends catching up after many years.

This week's episode of "Faith with Haith" was not supposed to happen. My son was booked in to have a pretty big operation in the world-famous and wonderful Great Ormond Street Hospital which is, rather extraordinarily, in my parish. Suffice it to say I was a nervous wreck. until my old pal Stef put to work the age-old friendship  practice of "just showing up". The more we chatted the more I realised that we should be recording it. So we both fired up our voice memo apps and this was the result...

So here we are at the start of a new year. Perhaps you have made some fresh resolutions to take on some new creative adventure? Perhaps you have decided it's time to turn your back on some unhealthy practices? Perhaps you want to chart a whole new course with your career? I believe that to do any of these things you will need help from God, but you will also need to find a new confidence, fresh faith, in yourself. In this episode of "Faith with Haith" I explore the concept and power of self-belief with two inspiring entrepreneurs. The faith that Nicky and Steven display, both within and beyond themselves, will supercharge your resolve to make a difference this year.

I figured you wouldn't be up for anything too high-brow today, so this week's episode of the "Faith with Haith" podcast features the now-annual ridiculous chat with my old pals Lorne and Busky. Yes, they have returned. I only wish I could say it was by popular demand...