Uncommon Ground is the show where conversations really matter.
Hosted by Justin Brierley, a veteran of debate and discussion moderation with 20 years experience, each episode brings together two big thinkers with profoundly different views on science, faith, atheism, philosophy, Christianity, culture, and God. All in the beautiful setting of historic Yarnton Manor, Oxford.
Instead of adding to the noise of the culture wars, Uncommon Ground creates space to disagree well—aiming to establish curiosity, clarity, and genuine understanding across the polarities that can divide us.
Featuring leading voices from atheism, psychology, science, literature, theology, and more, the show dives into life’s biggest questions.
Subscribe now to hear conversations that move beyond the echo chambers and into the deeper questions we all share—Uncommon Ground: conversations that matter.
Find out more: https://justinbrierley.com/uncommon-ground-podcast/
Get early access and more when you become a supporter: https://justinbrierley.com/support-me/
Keep up to date, and receive free chapters from Justin's books, by subscribing to the newsletter: https://justinbrierley.com/get-justins-newsletter/
A production of Think Faith.
#11. Ross Douthat & Eric Metaxas: Is Trump the President that Christians need?
Host Justin Brierley interviews author Eric Metaxas and columnist Ross Douthat about whether Donald Trump is the president Christians require.
18 Jun 2026TRANSCRIPT
#10. Matthew Vines & David Bennett: Can Christians affirm gay relationships? Side A vs Side B
Host Justin Brierley interviews Matthew Vines and David Bennett about differing Christian perspectives on affirming gay relationships and biblical interpretations of sexuality.
4 Jun 2026TRANSCRIPT
#9. William Lane Craig & Emily Qureshi-Hurst: Is it Time to Rethink God & Salvation? The A vs B theory and why it matters.
Host Justin Brierley interviews philosopher William Lane Craig and theologian Emily Qureshi-Hurst about time's nature and its impact on God and salvation.
19 May 2026
#8. Lois McLatchie Miller & Ann Furedi: Is abortion immoral? Pro-life vs pro-choice.
Over 250,000 pregnancies are terminated in the UK every year. Is access to abortion a woman's right or the taking of an innocent life? Pro-life campaigner Lois McLatchie Miller engages Ann Furedi, the former head of BPAS - the UK’s leading abortion provider. They join Justin Brierley to discuss when life begins, bodily rights and baby rights, and why despite their deep disagreements, they have become friends.
Find out more: https://justinbrierley.com/uncommon-ground-podcast/
Get early access and more when you become a supporter: https://justinbrierley.com/support-me/
Keep up to date, and receive free chapters from my books, by subscribing to the newsletter: https://justinbrierley.com/get-justins-newsletter/
What did you think? Let me know by emailing: feedback@think.faith
Watch this show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3rZ-nZe04d8G6kwNOMpuI8vQ4Qx3rVEQ
Lois McLatchie Miller: https://tradical.substack.com/Ann Furedi: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ann_FurediA production of Think Faith.
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5 May 2026
#7. Stephen Meyer & Phil Halper: The Big Bang and Fine Tuning. Does the science of the Universe point to God?
Did the Universe have a 'beginning'? Is the Cosmos 'finely-tuned' for life? And do these phenomena point to God?Stephen C Meyer, author of 'Return of the God Hypothesis' debates Phil Halper, co-author of 'Battle of the Big Bang' in a lively 3 hour conversation hosted by Justin Brierley.
Find out more: https://justinbrierley.com/uncommon-ground-podcast/
Get early access and more when you become a supporter: https://justinbrierley.com/support-me/
Keep up to date, and receive free chapters from my books, by subscribing to the newsletter: https://justinbrierley.com/get-justins-newsletter/
What did you think? Let me know by emailing: feedback@think.faith
Watch this show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3rZ-nZe04d8G6kwNOMpuI8vQ4Qx3rVEQ
For Stephen C Meyer: https://stephencmeyer.org/For Phil Halper: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Battle-Big-Bang-Cosmic-Origins/dp/0226830470Phil's Copenhagen survey including physicist's attitudes to fine-tuning: https://arxiv.org/html/2503.15776v2
A production of Think Faith.
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21 Apr 2026
#6. Elizabeth Oldfield & James Marriott: Is there meaning to life? And is our secular culture rediscovering it?
Elizabeth Oldfield, host of the Sacred Podcast, and James Marriott, literary critic and Times columnist, join Justin on Uncommon Ground to discuss whether we can find meaning in life without God. Elizabeth tells of her own search for meaning in Christian faith, while James explains why, as an atheist nihilist, he still loves art and literature. They discuss the search for purpose, and signs of a new interest in faith among young people. For Elizabeth Oldfield: https://www.elizabetholdfield.com/For James Marriott: https://www.thetimes.com/comment/columnists/article/full-fat-faith-the-young-christian-converts-filling-our-churches-x69pd289k?PS Since this show was recorded the 'Quiet Revival' report has been withdrawn. You can read Justin's response article here: https://justinbrierley.beehiiv.com/p/the-quiet-revival-has-been-withdrawn-but-the-rebirth-isn-t-dead
Find out more: https://justinbrierley.com/uncommon-ground-podcast/
Get early access and more when you become a supporter: https://justinbrierley.com/support-me/
Keep up to date, and receive free chapters from my books, by subscribing to the newsletter: https://justinbrierley.com/get-justins-newsletter/
What did you think? Let me know by emailing: feedback@think.faith
Watch this show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3rZ-nZe04d8G6kwNOMpuI8vQ4Qx3rVEQ
A production of Think Faith.
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8 Apr 2026
#5. Paul Davies & Emily Qureshi-Hurst: Is there purpose in the Universe? Exploring the weirdness of the cosmic and quantum realm.
Is there a purpose to the largest thing of all - The Universe? And does the weird world of the smallest things - Quantum Physics - tell us anything about it?Atheist theologian Emily Qureshi-Hurst believes the evidence points to a purely physical reality. However, astrophysicist Paul Davies says there's a deeper meaning to the 'directionality' of our cosmos. In this mind-expanding conversation, they join Justin to explain the science they agree on... and work out where they differ.
Find out more: https://justinbrierley.com/uncommon-ground-podcast/
Get early access and more when you become a supporter: https://justinbrierley.com/support-me/
Keep up to date, and receive free chapters from my books, by subscribing to the newsletter: https://justinbrierley.com/get-justins-newsletter/
What did you think? Let me know by emailing: feedback@think.faith
Watch this show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3rZ-nZe04d8G6kwNOMpuI8vQ4Qx3rVEQ
For Emily Qureshi-Hurst: https://www.emilyqureshihurst.com/For Paul Davies: https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/457920/quantum-20-by-davies-paul/9780241655801A production of Think Faith.
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24 Mar 2026
#4. Iain McGilchrist & Anil Seth: Minds, brains, consciousness and the God question.
Renowned philosopher Iain McGilchrist and eminent neuroscientist Anil Seth sit down with Justin Brierley to discuss whether consciousness is a product of brain chemistry or points to God. They discuss left and right brain hemispheres, panpsychism, theories of consciousness and how meditation and prayer affect our psychology. Seth also describes his atheist-agnostic worldview, and McGilchrist explains his recent embrace of Christian faith.Subscribe now to hear conversations that move beyond the echo chambers and into the deeper questions we all share—Uncommon Ground: conversations that matter.
Find out more: https://justinbrierley.com/uncommon-ground-podcast/
Get early access and more when you become a supporter: https://justinbrierley.com/support-me/
Keep up to date, and receive free chapters from my books, by subscribing to the newsletter: https://justinbrierley.com/get-justins-newsletter/
What did you think? Let me know by emailing: feedback@think.faith
Watch this show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3rZ-nZe04d8G6kwNOMpuI8vQ4Qx3rVEQ
For Iain McGilchrist: https://channelmcgilchrist.com/home/For Anil Seth: https://www.anilseth.com/A production of Think Faith.
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10 Mar 2026
#3. Jonathan Pageau & Joe Folley: Does art, culture and human experience point to God?
Orthodox thinker Jonathan Pageau and atheist philosopher Joe Folley sit down with Justin Brierley to discuss whether art, culture and human experience point to God.
In a deep and rich conversation ranging across consciousness, science, religion, the incarnation and the resurrection they debate whether a Divine Logos or natural forces explain the reality we all encounter.
Subscribe now to hear conversations that move beyond the echo chambers and into the deeper questions we all share—Uncommon Ground: conversations that matter.
Find out more: https://justinbrierley.com/uncommon-ground-podcast/
Get early access and more when you become a supporter: https://justinbrierley.com/support-me/
Keep up to date, and receive free chapters from my books, by subscribing to the newsletter: https://justinbrierley.com/get-justins-newsletter/
What did you think? Let me know by emailing: feedback@think.faith
Watch this show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3rZ-nZe04d8G6kwNOMpuI8vQ4Qx3rVEQ
For Jonathan Pageau: https://www.youtube.com/c/jonathanpageauFor Joe Folley: https://www.youtube.com/@unsolicitedadvice9198
A production of Think Faith.
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24 Feb 2026
#2. Alex O'Connor & Glen Scrivener: Did Christianity give us our morality? Debating freedom, slavery, equality and the Bible.
Atheist thinker Alex O'Connor goes toe-to-toe with Christian thinker Glen Scrivener on whether Christianity gave us our belief in kindness, equality, freedom and consent.
Across 2.5 hours of intense conversation moderated by Justin Brierley, they debate whether or not hospitals, welfare, charity, emancipation, gender equality, human rights and consent hinge on Christian influence.
Subscribe now to hear conversations that move beyond the echo chambers and into the deeper questions we all share—Uncommon Ground: conversations that matter.
Find out more: https://justinbrierley.com/uncommon-ground-podcast/
Get early access and more when you become a supporter: https://justinbrierley.com/support-me/
Keep up to date, and receive free chapters from my books, by subscribing to the newsletter: https://justinbrierley.com/get-justins-newsletter/
Watch this show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3rZ-nZe04d8G6kwNOMpuI8vQ4Qx3rVEQ
What did you think? Let me know by emailing: feedback@think.faith
For Alex O'Connor: https://www.alexoconnor.com/For Glen Scrivener: https://speaklife.org.uk/
A production of Think Faith.
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10 Feb 2026
#1. Richard Dawkins & Rowan Williams: God vs Science. What is behind the poetry of reality?
The world's most famous atheist, Richard Dawkins, sits down to talk with the former Archbishop of Canterbury, Rowan Williams, in the very first episode of Uncommon Ground, hosted by Justin Brierley.
In a wide-ranging conversation on atheism, faith, poetry, music, meaning, love, complexity, suffering, evolution and survival, they discuss whether God or science makes best sense of 'the poetry of reality'. Subscribe now to hear conversations that move beyond the echo chambers and into the deeper questions we all share—Uncommon Ground: conversations that matter.
Find out more: https://justinbrierley.com/uncommon-ground-podcast/
Get early access and more when you become a supporter: https://justinbrierley.com/support-me/
Keep up to date, and receive free chapters from my books, by subscribing to the newsletter: https://justinbrierley.com/get-justins-newsletter/
Watch this show on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3rZ-nZe04d8G6kwNOMpuI8vQ4Qx3rVEQ
What did you think? Let me know by emailing: feedback@think.faith
Richard Dawkins' 'The God Delusion': https://amzn.eu/d/0je7xxeBRowan Williams' 'Discovering Christianity': https://amzn.eu/d/0dwMwQq1
A production of Think Faith.
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19 Jan 2026
Introducing 'Uncommon Ground'
Justin Brierley is back in the moderator's chair hosting conversations between Christians, atheists, skeptics and seekers in this new podcast and video show.
'Uncommon Ground' features leading figures from the world of atheism, psychology, science, culture, literature and theology. Recorded in the beautiful setting of Yarnton Manor, Oxford, they’ll be debating purpose in the universe, meaning in life, faith, atheism and the deepest questions of existence.
But this isn't just another debate-fest. 'Uncommon Ground' asks each guest to spell out the other's position. Connecting before correcting. Disagreeing well by understanding each other better.
Season 1 will feature:- Richard, Dawkins & Rowan Williams - on God & science.- Alex O Connor & Glen Scrivener - on whether Christianity gave us our morality.- Anil Seth & Iain McGilchrist - on consciousness and the brain.- Jonathan Pageau & Joe Folley - on whether art and beauty points to God. - Paul Davies & Emily Qureshi-Hurst - on whether the universe has a purpose. - Elizabeth Oldfield & James Marriott - on whether there’s purpose in life.- Stephen Meyer & Phil Halper - big bang cosmology and the fine tuning of the universe. - Philip Pullman and Francis Spufford - on literature, meaning, imagination and religion. ...and more to be announced.
Get access to every episode TWO WEEKS early when you support: https://justinbrierley.com/support-me/
Watch episodes on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3rZ-nZe04d8G6kwNOMpuI8vQ4Qx3rVEQ
Stay up to date - and get free chapters from both my books - by subscribing to my newsletter: https://justinbrierley.com/get-justins-newsletter/
A production of Think Faith.
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Who has been a guest on Uncommon Ground with Justin Brierley
Names identified in recent episode analyses. Showing up to five guests.
Eric Metaxas
Ross Douthat
Matthew Vines
David Bennett
William Lane Craig
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Apple Podcasts (US)
4.9 / 5
40 ratings
Spotify
5.0 / 5
113 ratings
Contact Uncommon Ground with Justin Brierley
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