The Southwark Cathedral Podcast

The World Needs More Poetry | Anna Rastelli on "In the Bleak Midwinter" by Christina Rossetti

In this episode of The World Needs More Poetry on the Southwark Cathedral podcast the Dean is joined by Anna Rastelli, a writer, poet, theatre director, and a staff member at Southwark Cathedral. Anna discusses her role at the Cathedral and how she has organized queer poetry evenings to create a safe, inclusive space for LGBTQ+ individuals. The conversation then shifts to a seasonal poem, 'In the Bleak Midwinter' by Christina Rossetti, which Anna reads and analyzes. Anna shares her admiration for Rossetti's work, noting its blend of gothic and Christian themes, and reflects on the poem's deeper messages of humility and giving one's heart. The discussion touches on Rossetti's life, her crisis of faith, and her contributions to literature. Anna also speaks about the challenges and values of the younger generation, the importance of community in churches, and the enduring relevance of Rossetti's poetry.

Episode 11| A Safe Haven: Inside the Cathedral's Commitment to Safeguarding

In this episode of the Southwark Cathedral Podcast, Canon Kathryn Fleming and newly appointed Cathedral Safeguarding Officer Neil Morter discuss the critical role of safeguarding within the cathedral. The conversation highlights the necessity of maintaining and enhancing safeguarding measures, particularly in light of the upcoming audit covering all dioceses and cathedrals in the Church of England. Neil shares insights into his responsibilities, the importance of community involvement, and the positive reception he has received from the Cathedral community. Additionally, they emphasize that safeguarding is a collective responsibility, providing various training opportunities to ensure everyone is prepared to contribute. The discussion also touches on the challenges and vulnerabilities faced by the cathedral as a public and inclusive space. Overall, safeguarding is portrayed as a vital, ongoing commitment to ensure the well-being and safety of all members and visitors of the cathedral.

The World Needs More Poetry | Helen Smee, Director of Music

In the latest episode of our 'The World Needs More Poetry,' series, the Dean is joined by our new Director of Music, Helen Smee. Helen talks about her musical background, her family's artistic influences, and her roots in London, leading to her roles in Cambridge, London, and Oxford before returning to Southwark. She shares her deep connections with the Cathedral and her passion for her current role. Helen discusses her feelings about poetry, comparing its depth to music and other art forms.
The conversation delves into the selected poem 'The Holy Communion' by Henry Vaughan, analyzing its themes, structure, and musical adaptations. Helen articulates her love for metaphysical poets like Vaughan and their influence on modern composers. 

Episode 10 | The Dean in Conversation with Manni Coe on Rebuilding a Life

In the latest episode of the Southwark Cathedral Podcast, the Dean, Mark Oakley, interviews Manni Coe, on his recently published memoir, Little Ruins: Rebuilding a Life which delves into topics like suicide, sexual abuse, and addiction. Manni shares personal stories about his upbringing in Yorkshire and Berkshire, his relationship with his brother Reuben, who has Down's syndrome, and how he built a life in the Spanish countryside.
 
Manni recounts finding a volunteer's body on his land, his own childhood abuse by a vicar, and the healing journey that followed. He also reflects on his strained relationship with his faith, the forgiveness he extended to his father, and his experiences with mental health. The dialogue emphasizes community, support, and the importance of confronting and healing from past traumas.
 
Copies of Manni's new book, Little Ruins: Rebuilding a Life can be purchased from the Cathedral Shop. 

Episode 9 | What are the Psalms?

The Dean recently gave a talk on ‘What are the Psalms?’ Listen now to explore what the psalms are, when and why they were written, and how they speak to our faith today.
For those who wish to read more on this subject, the following books are recommended:
Charlie Bell: Searched Me Out and Known Me
John L. Bell: Living with the Psalms
Walter Brueggemann: Spirituality of the Psalms
Walter Brueggemann: Praying the Psalms
Pula Gooder: Journalling the Psalms – A Guide for Reflection and Prayer
CS Lewis: Reflections on the Psalms
 
You might also like to watch three talks on Youtube by Walter Brueggemann called ‘The Psalms: The Hard Road from Obedience to Praise’.

The World Needs More Poetry | Dame Mary Beard on Homer's The Odyssey

The latest podcast in our ‘The World Needs More Poetry’ series is a conversation between the Dean and Dame Mary Beard on her chosen poem ‘The Odyssey’ by Homer. Mary Beard is very well known as a Classicist and as a popular broadcaster and writer. In their dialogue together, we hear about the origin of the Odyssey, its main characters and themes, and are left to explore questions about the nature of heroism, the complications of returning home, of becoming an adult, and of understanding power.
 

Episode 8 | The Truth About Modern Slavery with Emily Kenway

We recently hosted writer and activist Emily Kenway to give a talk aboout her first book, The Truth About Modern Slavery. Throughout the evening Emily addressed modern slavery, and its misrepresentation in political and cultural narratives. Kenway, an advisor to the UK's first anti-slavery commissioner, emphasises the difference between the real experiences of victims and the stories shaped for political motives. She discusses the conditions that foster exploitation, the misuse of the term 'modern slavery,' and how systemic issues like weak labour rights, poor regulation, and political convenience contribute to it. Emily uses examples like car washes, nail bars, and supply chains to illustrate inconsistent attitudes towards labour exploitation. She advocates for addressing systemic issues rather than focusing on sensationalized rescue efforts, stressing the need to understand and tackle the root causes of exploitation.

Episode 7 | Why I Care and Why Care Matters with Sir Ed Davey MP

The conversation delves into Davey's personal experiences as a young caregiver following the deaths of his parents, his role in caring for his son with disabilities, and his advocacy for family carers through his political work. He emphasizes the importance of recognizing and supporting family carers, sharing stories and insights from his book. The podcast touches on the societal undervaluation of care work, the bureaucratic challenges carers face, and the need for systemic changes to better support carers and those they care for. Davey argues that integrating care more centrally into policy could lead to a more compassionate and prosperous society.
Listen wherever you get your podcasts.

The World Needs More Poetry | The Rt Rev'd and Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullally

The latest episode of the Southwark Cathedral Podcast is the second in our The World Needs More Poetry miniseries. This time, the Dean is joined by the Bishop of London, The Rt Rev'd and Rt Hon Dame Sarah Mullally, for a moving and deeply personal conversation.
Bishop Sarah reflects on William E. Stafford’s poem “Ask Me” — a piece that has accompanied her through moments of challenge, both as an ordained woman in the Church of England and as someone who lives with dyslexia. With honesty and grace, she explores how poetry can hold space for vulnerability, strength, and the questions we don’t always have answers to.
If you’ve ever found comfort in poetry or are simply curious about how a single poem can speak into a life, this episode offers a powerful and thoughtful listen.

Episode 6 | The Boyhood of Cain

Michael Amherst regularly attends Southwark Cathedral, loving the building and the beauty of Evensong. His debut novel, 'The Boyhood of Cain', which has just been published by Faber, made The Times excitedly report that 'a literary star is born'. It is a novel about Danny, a boy on the precipice of adulthood, struggling to understand how he might give and deserve love. 'People are just like books', thinks Daniel, ' - full of hidden meanings that need to be unearthed by an attentive reader'.
In our latest podcast, the Dean talks with Michael about the book and its themes, and why the story of Cain and Abel intrigues him.