In this episode of The Unshaw Podcast, we sit down with Ian Tattum, who recently retired after 30 years as a Church of England vicar at St. Barnabas Church in London.

Ian shares insights from a lifetime dedicated to his congregation, reflecting on the evolution of faith, community, and the role of the Church in a changing world.

As both a spiritual guide and community anchor, Ian’s experience raises thoughtful questions about what it truly means to serve—and how churches and places of worship might balance being both sacred spaces and hubs of community support. Should a church adapt to meet more social needs, or should it remain primarily a place for spiritual connection? Tune in to explore this thought-provoking conversation and gain a glimpse into Ian’s journey in ministry.

In this episode of The Unshaw Podcast, we’re joined by Liz Barclay, Clinical Nurse, lifelong paranormal enthusiast, and merchandise manager for the popular Uncanny Podcast.

Liz, a longtime friend of the show, shares her unique perspective on the mysterious worlds of faith, spirituality, and the supernatural. Together, we delve into her journey from her roots in the Church of Scotland to her fascination with ghostly encounters and the uncanny, exploring how these interests intersect with her medical work and personal beliefs.

We discuss different ideas on what might happen after we pass on—whether we remain as spirits, find eternity with a creator, or return to the earth as atoms. In the next series, where we’ll examine a fourth possibility: reincarnation.

Get ready for a thoughtful and spirited discussion on life, death, and the unknown realms in between.

In this episode of The Unshaw Podcast, I explore the origins of Christianity with historian Tim O'Neill from Sydney, Australia.

Together, we tackle some of the most controversial and widely debated claims about the life of Jesus. Tim offers a historically grounded perspective on the figure at the heart of one of the world’s most influential religions. Explore more of Tim’s work at historyforatheists.com and on his YouTube channel.

Welcome to The UnShaw Podcast.

In the summer in Britain, tensions between Muslim communities and far-right activists ignited after a false rumour spread, linking a horrific triple child murder to a Muslim immigrant. For a moment, it seemed we might be on the brink of a repeat of the widespread riots and violence that gripped the nation in 2011, following the police killing of Mark Duggan in North London.

However, this time around, the far-right's attempts to incite fear and chaos were met with mass counter-protests .

But this raises bigger questions: Are the concerns about Islam in politics justified? Do claims from right-wing groups that Islam seeks to dominate communities hold any truth? Does the Quran promote violence against non-Muslims, as some say? And should the rise of mosques across the U.K. in the past two decades be a cause for concern?

To help unpack these complex issues, I’m joined today by Paul Armstrong, Managing Director of the Association of British Muslims. Paul's unique perspective, as a devout Muslim and a white Briton, brings fresh insight into this debate. Together, we’ll explore common criticisms of Islam and whether they stand up to scrutiny.

In a departure from the usual theme of the podcast, although we do touch briefly on spiritual and religious issues, I spoke with former pop music artist, impresario, producer, TV personality and convicted sex offender Jonathan King.

We talk about his life in the music industry and the legal issues he has faced since the 2000s. I hope you enjoy listening to our conversation.

Enjoy the rest of your weekends and 'see' you next Sunday.

In last week's episode, I had an insightful conversation with Professor Tim Coulson of Oxford University about his book The Universal History Of Us, where we explored the origins of the universe, the emergence of life, and how evolution shaped the incredible biodiversity we see today.

This week, I invite you to dive into a different perspective with my guest Nick Cowan, a Cambridge University science graduate and lifelong science educator. We'll discuss his unique worldview, shaped by years of scientific exploration and teaching, offering a fresh take on the story of life and the universe.

Welcome back, seekers, skeptics, and believers, to another thought-provoking series of The UnShaw Podcast!

If you joined us for Series 1, you’ll know this podcast is all about tackling life’s biggest mysteries and the age-old questions that have puzzled humanity for millennia: Is there a God? Was Jesus divine? Do we need a higher power to explain the universe? How did life truly begin, and what sparked the birth of the cosmos itself? You know, just the light stuff.

In this opening episode of Series 2, I’m thrilled to be joined by none other than Professor Tim Coulson, a leading expert in evolutionary biology from Oxford University. He's recently written a book "The Universal History Of Us".

Together, we’ll explore the origins of life, the role of natural selection, and whether modern science can offer insights into these ultimate questions. Can Professor Coulson, with his extensive knowledge of zoology and evolutionary theory, shed light on whether a divine explanation is necessary—or if science alone can unravel the mysteries of our existence?

Prepare for a fascinating and awe-inspiring discussion!

Welcome to the final episode in series 1 of the UnShaw Podcast.

Instead of our usual format, where I, your host, Robert Shaw, delve into the minds of guests, today the tables have turned. A former guest will be taking the reins and interviewing me.

For those who've followed along faithfully, you're in for a treat. I've got some juicy titbits to share about what's in store for Series 2, but more on that later.

For today's episode, I'll be talking about my recent flirtation with religion! Many of you might be wondering, "Robert Shaw, the staunch agnostic atheist, converting? How is that even possible?" Well, I assure you, it's a story that's as surprising as it is enlightening.

As I look back on the episodes that have shaped this series, we'll also be revisiting some of the its most memorable moments and insights.

So, whether you're a devout believer, a steadfast atheist, or somewhere in between, this episode promises to offer something for everyone.

And remember, this isn't the end—it's just the beginning. Stay tuned for Series 2, where we'll continue to explore the complexities of religion, atheism, and everything in between. Until then, sit back and enjoy the series finale.