87. Jonathan Aitken on prison, priesthood and purpose

As regular listeners and viewers will know, at the end of all our conversations we ask our guests for their three crisis comforts; their go-tos for inspiration and strength during the challenging times. Short but perfectly formed advice for getting you through the tough moments.     Over the years we have heard some incredibly interesting and more importantly, useful tips for anyone who might be feeling the weight of their own problems.     In this short episode – Revd. Jonathan Aitken - a man who has survived and thrived over eight decades of triumph and crisis – shares his three crisis comforts.  Full episodehttps://www.crisiswhatcrisis.com/podcasts/jonathan-aitken-on-prison-priesthood-and-purpose/    Links    Aitken is a trustee of the Saïd Foundation, McDonald Agape Foundation, and Trinity Forum Europe. Aitken is Honorary President of Tempus Novo and Patron of CSW. Aitken is the founder of Chance to Change Foundation/Friends of Pentonville.  BooksLetters for the Ages Behind Bars: Letters from History's Most Famous Prisoners, 2024.Doing Time: A spiritual survival guide, 2021.Porridge and Passion, 2005.Pride and Perjury, 2000.  Stream/buy ‘Allies’ by Some Velvet Morning: https://ampl.ink/qp6bm    Some Velvet Morning Website: www.somevelvetmorning.co.uk      Your Daily Practice: Sleep by Myndstream: https://open.spotify.com/track/5OX9XgJufFz9g63o2Dv2i5?si=b2f9397c92084682    Host – Andy Coulson   CWC team: Jane Sankey, Louise Difford, Zach Ellis and Mabel Pickering   With special thanks to Ioana Barbu and the brilliant people at Global      For all PR and guest approaches please contact – [email protected]   Full transcript: https://www.crisiswhatcrisis.com/podcasts/jonathan-aitkens-crisis-comforts/ 

The Reverend Jonathan Aitken has survived and thrived over eight decades of triumph and crisis. The former government minister, author, ordained prison chaplain and priest and, like me, a former inmate of Belmarsh prison – Jonathan has a lifetime of stories to tell and wisdom to impart. From spending childhood years battling TB to working as a reporter in Saigon; to being tipped as a future Prime Minister described as ‘not just gilded but golden’ from pleading guilty and being sentenced for perjury, to finding faith and rebuilding his life’s purpose as a priest - Jonathan has seen and been through it all. Jonathan’s most recent crisis almost claimed his life. But, throughout it all he has pushed on and pushed through with a sense of resilience – and an incredible rate of productivity - that is truly inspiring and from which I think we can all learn.  Links    Aitken is a trustee of the Saïd Foundation, McDonald Agape Foundation, and Trinity Forum Europe. Aitken is Honorary President of Tempus Novo and Patron of CSW.Aitken is the founder of Chance to Change Foundation/Friends of Pentonville.  BooksLetters for the Ages Behind Bars: Letters from History's Most Famous Prisoners, 2024.Doing Time: A spiritual survival guide, 2021.Porridge and Passion, 2005.Pride and Perjury, 2000.  Stream/buy ‘Allies’ by Some Velvet Morning: https://ampl.ink/qp6bm    Some Velvet Morning Website: www.somevelvetmorning.co.uk      Your Daily Practice: Sleep by Myndstream: https://open.spotify.com/track/5OX9XgJufFz9g63o2Dv2i5?si=b2f9397c92084682  Host – Andy Coulson   CWC team: Jane Sankey, Louise Difford, Zach Ellis and Mabel Pickering   With special thanks to Ioana Barbu and the brilliant people at Global      For all PR and guest approaches please contact – [email protected]     Key Words #prison #priesthood #purpose #politician #faith #family  Full transcript: https://www.crisiswhatcrisis.com/podcasts/jonathan-aitken-on-prison-priesthood-and-purpose/     

As regular listeners and viewers will know, at the end of all our conversations we ask our guests for their three crisis comforts; their go-tos for inspiration and strength during the challenging times. Short but perfectly formed advice for getting you through the tough moments. Over the years we have heard some incredibly interesting and more importantly, useful tips for anyone who might be feeling the weight of their own problems.     In this short episode - Three Dads Walking – a trio of remarkable men who connected over the loss of their daughters, Sophie, Beth and Emily, to suicide, share their three crisis comforts.   Please remember - if you, or anyone you know is having or have had suicidal thoughts, you can reach out to Papyrus UK suicide prevention on 0800 068 4141.  Full episode: https://www.crisiswhatcrisis.com/podcasts/three-dads-walking-on-suicide-grief-and-finding-light-in-the-darkest-of-places/Links    Three Dads Walking: 300 Miles of Hope: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Three-Dads-Walking-Miles-Hope/dp/14721484443 Dads Walking https://www.3dadswalking.uk/PAPYRUS: https://www.papyrus-uk.org/Papyrus has been campaigning for a suicide-safer internet for nearly twenty years. Do you want to ensure technology companies are held accountable for the safety of users on their platforms? Download their draft letter to send to your local MP here: https://www.papyrus-uk.org/online-safety-bill-write-to-your-mp/Send your letter to your MP here: https://www.writetothem.com/  Stream/buy ‘Allies’ by Some Velvet Morning: https://ampl.ink/qp6bm    Some Velvet Morning Website: www.somevelvetmorning.co.uk      Your Daily Practice: Sleep by Myndstream: https://open.spotify.com/track/5OX9XgJufFz9g63o2Dv2i5?si=b2f9397c92084682    Host – Andy Coulson   CWC team: Jane Sankey, Louise Difford, Zach Ellis and Mabel Pickering   With special thanks to Ioana Barbu and the brilliant people at Global    For all PR and guest approaches please contact – [email protected]      Full transcript:   https://www.crisiswhatcrisis.com/podcasts/three-dads-walking-crisis-comforts/

As regular listeners and viewers will know, at the end of all our conversations we ask our guests for their three crisis comforts; their go-tos for inspiration and strength during the challenging times. Short but perfectly formed advice for getting you through the tough moments.     Over the years we have heard some incredibly interesting and more importantly, useful tips for anyone who might be feeling the weight of their own problems.     In this short episode – Bryony Gordon - a woman with an abundance of accomplishments, yet who talks about her struggles with astonishing candour – shares her three crisis comforts.   Full episode  https://www.crisiswhatcrisis.com/podcasts/85-bryony-gordon-on-addiction-ocd-and-endless-ing-anxiety/   Links    Mental Health Mates https://www.mentalhealthmates.co.uk/   BooksMad Woman (Bryony’s new book) https://amzn.eu/d/61O5NQ5The Wrong Knickers: A decade of chaos Mad Girl   Bryony’s book of choice – Louise Hay – You Can Heal Your Lifehttps://amzn.eu/d/8cuaDcJStream/buy ‘Allies’ by Some Velvet Morning: https://ampl.ink/qp6bm    Some Velvet Morning Website: www.somevelvetmorning.co.uk      Your Daily Practice: Sleep by Myndstream: https://open.spotify.com/track/5OX9XgJufFz9g63o2Dv2i5?si=b2f9397c92084682 Photo Copyright: Laurie Fletcher         Host – Andy Coulson   CWC team: Jane Sankey, Louise Difford, Zach Ellis and Mabel Pickering   With special thanks to Ioana Barbu and the brilliant people at Global    For all PR and guest approaches please contact – [email protected]   Full transcripthttps://www.crisiswhatcrisis.com/podcasts/bryony-gordons-crisis-comforts/

In this episode I’m joined by three remarkable men, Andy Airey, Mike Palmer and Tim Owen – better known as Three Dads Walking. All would rather have never met but through a common and tragic bond – the loss of their daughters, Sophie, Beth and Emily, to suicide – they did.  Brought together by a shared grief, these three dads connected and decided to shine a light on the shocking number of young people who take their own lives in the UK.  A 300-mile walk between their homes in Cumbria, Manchester, and Norfolk in 2021 was their first epic venture. A 600-mile walk then followed, and another is planned for this year. So far, over £1m has been raised for the incredible suicide prevention charity PAPYRUS.  Their new book – 3 Dads Walking, 300 Miles of Hope - tells the story of the courage and hope they’ve found on those walks. It is out now.  Please remember - if you, or anyone you know is having or have had suicidal thoughts, you can reach out to Papyrus UK suicide prevention on 0800 068 4141.  Links   Three Dads Walking: 300 Miles of Hope https://www.amazon.co.uk/Three-Dads-Walking-Miles-Hope/dp/1472148444  3 Dads WalkingPAPYRUSPapyrus has been campaigning for a suicide-safer internet for nearly twenty years. Do you want to ensure technology companies are held accountable for the safety of users on their platforms?Download their draft letter to send to your local MP here: https://www.papyrus-uk.org/online-safety-bill-write-to-your-mp/Send your letter to your MP here: https://www.writetothem.com/  Stream/buy ‘Allies’ by Some Velvet Morning: https://ampl.ink/qp6bm    Some Velvet Morning Website: www.somevelvetmorning.co.uk      Your Daily Practice: Sleep by Myndstream: https://open.spotify.com/track/5OX9XgJufFz9g63o2Dv2i5?si=b2f9397c92084682    Host – Andy Coulson   CWC team: Jane Sankey, Louise Difford, Zach Ellis and Mabel Pickering   With special thanks to Ioana Barbu and the brilliant people at Global    For all PR and guest approaches please contact – [email protected]     Key Words #suicide #grief #guilt #recovery #positivity #friendship #hope #walkingFull transcripthttps://www.crisiswhatcrisis.com/podcasts/three-dads-walking-on-suicide-grief-and-finding-light-in-the-darkest-of-places/

In this episode I’m joined by the force of nature that is Bryony Gordon. Journalist, author, presenter, podcaster, mental health campaigner, marathon runner, cold water swimmer… there’s nothing this woman cannot do. Yet accomplishing all this whilst also dealing with demons is no mean feat – it is a testament to her resilience, her work ethic and her bravery.   Bryony has an honest attitude towards and astonishing candour about her struggles, both physical and mental, including extreme OCD or pure O, binge eating and severe anxiety.   She tells her story in a way that is as helpful as it is compassionate, champions her charity Mental Health Mates and gives voice to the crisis we face in this country when it comes to the services that are available – or too often not available – for young people who are struggling.   Bryony’s mental strength, especially in the difficult moments, is just one of many valuable take outs from this episode. Her new book, Mad Woman, is out now. Thank you, Bryony.    Key WordsOCD, mental health, addiction, alopecia, trauma, eating disorder, bulimia, shame, depression, anxiety, boundaries, positivity, running, work ethic, balance, acceptance.Links    Mental Health Mates https://www.mentalhealthmates.co.uk/  BooksMad Woman (Bryony’s new book) https://amzn.eu/d/61O5NQ5The Wrong Knickers: A decade of chaos Mad Girl   Stream/buy ‘Allies’ by Some Velvet Morning: https://ampl.ink/qp6bm    Some Velvet Morning Website: www.somevelvetmorning.co.uk      Your Daily Practice: Sleep by Myndstream: https://open.spotify.com/track/5OX9XgJufFz9g63o2Dv2i5?si=b2f9397c92084682 Photo Copyright: Laurie Fletcher         Host – Andy Coulson   CWC team: Jane Sankey, Louise Difford, Zach Ellis and Mabel Pickering    With special thanks to Ioana Barbu and the brilliant people at Global    For all PR and guest approaches please contact – [email protected]      Full transcripthttps://www.crisiswhatcrisis.com/podcasts/85-bryony-gordon-on-addiction-ocd-and-endless-ing-anxiety/

As regular listeners and viewers will know, at the end of all our conversations we ask our guests for their three crisis comforts; their go-tos for inspiration and strength during the challenging times. Short but perfectly formed advice for getting you through the tough moments.Over the years we have heard some incredibly interesting and more importantly, useful tips for anyone who might be feeling the weight of their own problems.In this short episode Amy Dowden, a woman who has endured a lifetime of health setbacks, shares her three crisis comforts. Full episodehttps://www.crisiswhatcrisis.com/podcasts/amy-dowden-on-being-hours-from-death-avoiding-bitterness-and-the-healing-power-of-strictly/ Links    Dare to Dance https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001hcnx/episodes/guide CoppaFeel! - https://coppafeel.org/ Amy’s song choice – Whitney Houston – ‘I didn’t Know My Own Strength’ https://open.spotify.com/track/2d8012yMxNQF0jS3zxo4nU?si=c82dcf5346d244b2Stream/buy ‘Allies’ by Some Velvet Morning: https://ampl.ink/qp6bm   Some Velvet Morning Website: www.somevelvetmorning.co.uk     Your Daily Practice: Sleep by Myndstream: https://open.spotify.com/track/5OX9XgJufFz9g63o2Dv2i5?si=b2f9397c92084682      Host – Andy Coulson  CWC team: Jane Sankey, Louise Difford, Zach Ellis and Mabel Pickering  With special thanks to Ioana Barbu and the brilliant people at Global      For all PR and guest approaches please contact – [email protected]  

In this episode I’m joined by Strictly Come Dancing legend, TV presenter and candidate for Britain’s most resilient woman Amy Dowden.   Amy’s huge success is all the more remarkable as it has been achieved whilst battling Crohn’s Disease which she has been living with since the age of 11.  Last year Amy was diagnosed with breast cancer. When she developed sepsis towards the end of her chemotherapy, her family were told she only had hours to live.  But throughout all this continual crisis, Amy has remained positive, focusing on the future and determined to share her astonishing story – just as she does in this episode - in the hope that it will help others.  Amy is the most brilliant example of someone who, in crisis, has focused on the things they can control whilst putting their positivity to work.Full transcript available below:https://www.crisiswhatcrisis.com/podcasts/amy-dowden-on-being-hours-from-death-avoiding-bitterness-and-the-healing-power-of-strictly/Links   Dare to Dance https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m001hcnx/episodes/guideCoppafeel - https://coppafeel.org/Stream/buy ‘Allies’ by Some Velvet Morning: https://ampl.ink/qp6bm   Some Velvet Morning Website: www.somevelvetmorning.co.uk     Your Daily Practice: Sleep by Myndstream: https://open.spotify.com/track/5OX9XgJufFz9g63o2Dv2i5?si=b2f9397c92084682      Host – Andy Coulson  CWC team: Jane Sankey, Louise Difford, Zach Ellis and Mabel Pickering  With special thanks to Ioana Barbu and the brilliant people at Global   For all PR and guest approaches please contact – [email protected]  

As regular listeners and viewers will know, at the end of all our conversations we ask our guests for their three crisis comforts; their go-tos for inspiration and strength during the challenging times. Short but perfectly formed advice for getting you through the tough moments. Over the years we have heard some incredibly interesting and more importantly, useful tips for anyone who might be feeling the weight of their own problems. In this short episode, Ben Wallace – a man who has lived and breathed crisis throughout his career as a soldier and politician – shares his three crisis comforts. Full episodehttps://www.crisiswhatcrisis.com/podcasts/ben-wallace-on-leading-through-crisis-and-the-private-toll-of-an-addiction-to-politics/ Links Stream/buy ‘Allies’ by Some Velvet Morning: https://ampl.ink/qp6bm Some Velvet Morning Website: www.somevelvetmorning.co.uk Your Daily Practice: Sleep by Myndstream: https://open.spotify.com/track/5OX9XgJufFz9g63o2Dv2i5?si=b2f9397c92084682 Host – Andy Coulson CWC team: Jane Sankey, Louise Difford, Zach Ellis and Mabel Pickering With special thanks to Ioana Barbu and the brilliant people at Global For all PR and guest approaches please contact – [email protected]

Key words: Military, Conservatives, politics, Boris, Brexit, crisis, defence, army, drama As a soldier and politician Ben Wallace was tasked with keeping us safe through some of the most dangerous moments of recent times.As Security Minister and then as the longest serving Conservative Defence Secretary since Churchill, Ben Wallace managed crises including the 2017 Westminster terror attacks, the Salisbury Poisonings, the military response to the pandemic and the Russian invasion of Ukraine.Earlier in life as a Scots Guards officer, he was mentioned in dispatches after thwarting an IRA attack.Against a backdrop of near constant political chaos, Ben has stood out as a politician who put service first … more often than not avoiding the Westminster game playing that has plagued his party for a decade.He will stand down at the next election and in this episode talks about the very personal, very heavy price he’s paid as a result of the jobs he’s held.A revealing conversation with a leading politician now free to speak his mind about all things crisis.Full transcript available here:https://www.crisiswhatcrisis.com/podcasts/ben-wallace-on-leading-through-crisis-and-the-private-toll-of-an-addiction-to-politics/Links Stream/buy ‘Allies’ by Some Velvet Morning: https://ampl.ink/qp6bm Some Velvet Morning Website: https://www.somevelvetmorning.co.uk Your Daily Practice: Sleep by Myndstream: https://open.spotify.com/track/5OX9XgJufFz9g63o2Dv2i5?si=b2f9397c92084682 Host – Andy Coulson CWC team: Jane Sankey, Louise Difford, Zach Ellis and Mabel Pickering With special thanks to Ioana Barbu and the brilliant people at Global For all PR and guest approaches please contact – [email protected]