If a church is a praying church, it can handle whatever might come. Especially if it’s praying for others, and it’s praying for strength and direction.Par Rick Wenneborg

Sixty countries signed a declaration on 'inclusive' artificial intelligence at a global summit in Paris this week, but the UK and US refused. What was agreed at the summit, why did London and Washington decline to sign and what comes next?Bronwen Maddox is joined by Professor Birgitte Andersen from Birkbeck Business School, Lord Tim Clement-Jones, …

Visit the Growing Chatham Newsletter to access the links, stories, and videos that were mentioned in today's podcast.Par NC State Extension

In this episode, Tim Eaton and Lubna Yousef discuss their latest research on how transnational human smuggling has fuelled conflict in Libya through a systems analysis of three key transit cities – Kufra, Sebha and Zawiya. Using this approach, their research examines the roles played by conflict and social dynamics in the expansion of human smuggli…

President Trump has threatened to put tariffs on Mexico and Canada and imposed them on China, fuelling fears of a looming global trade war. With the European Union likely next in his sights – what is the US president trying to achieve with these tactics? And what are the consequences?Bronwen Maddox is joined by Creon Butler, the director of our Glo…

When a good church, one that’s growing in faith and love, comes under persecution, it doesn’t make sense. Especially when the attacks come from people who claim to know and love God and from the community in which the church is seeking to minister.Par Rick Wenneborg

The young church in Thessalonica was a good church. One for which the Apostle Paul could be thankful, one of which he could speak proudly, and one for which he could confidently pray. It was not, however, a perfect church.Par Rick Wenneborg

President Trump wants a peace deal in Ukraine and has signalled he’s willing to put pressure on Vladimir Putin to achieve it. Volodymyr Zelenskyy also appears more open to a deal – if there is a guarantee for Ukraine’s security.Bronwen Maddox is joined by Mark Landler, London Bureau Chief of the New York Times, The Telegraph’s Francis Dearnley who …

This morning we begin a study of Paul’s second letter to the Thessalonians and find out how they were doing.Par Rick Wenneborg

Donald Trump has signed a wave of executive orders in his first days as America’s 47th President. The panel discuss the president’s changes to US foreign policy and their potential impact on America and the world. Guest host , editor of magazine, is joined by , the director of our US and the Americas Programme, , the director of our Centre for Glob…

Former US Climate Envoy and Director of Chatham House's Environment and Society Centre join hosts Ruth Townend and Anna Aberg to talk about prospects for climate action in 2025. Following Trump's inauguration, what are the likely consequences for climate diplomacy, and how will Brazil balance domestic demands against international obligations as CO…

What is it you want to ask Jesus when He comes back?Par Rick Wenneborg

A fragile ceasefire and hostage deal has been agreed between Israel and Hamas to end 15 months of war and suffering. Chatham House experts discuss the timing of the deal, whether it can hold and what comes next. is joined by , the director of our Middle East and North Africa (MENA) programme, , the director of our US and Americas programme, and and…

It's been nearly 2,000 years since Jesus left this world and promised to return... So where is He?Par Rick Wenneborg

From the devastating wars in Ukraine, Sudan and Gaza to Donald Trump’s threats over Greenland and the Panama Canal, what are the places to watch this year?Bronwen Maddox is joined by Gideon Rachman, the FT’s chief foreign affairs commentator, Leslie Vinjamuri, the director of our US and America’s programme and Renad Mansour, a senior fellow for our…

We are coming to the close of Paul’s first letter to the Thessalonians. At first glance it looks like he is simply closing with a series of unrelated admonitions and instructions for the church in Thessalonica.Par Rick Wenneborg

Visit the Growing Chatham newsletter to access the links that are mentioned in this month's podcast.Par NC State Extension

If you drove home for Christmas with your kids, you probably heard, “Are we there yet?” And if their phones died, you no doubt heard an anguished, “How much further?” That might give you some idea how Paul must have felt when the Thessalonians started quizzing him about the second coming.Par Rick Wenneborg

Paul touches on some of the basic concerns the Thessalonians had about those who sleep in Jesus. He doesn’t answer all possible questions about those who have gone on before us, but he does tell us what we need to know and explains it in a way that can help us understand.Par Rick Wenneborg

The love of God was shown to us through the sending of His Son and we celebrate that expression of His love every Christmas. But the world doesn’t fully comprehend God’s love until it sees it expressed between brothers. That’s why we’ve been commanded to love each other and why we need to fully understand brotherly love.…

Does Bashar al-Assad’s removal offer a renewed chance for peace in Syria, or is his fall the start of a new phase of conflict in the Middle East? Bronwen Maddox is joined by Gideon Rachman, the FT’s chief foreign affairs commentator, former BBC Persia journalist Rana Rahimpour and Haid Haid, a senior consulting fellow for our Middle East and North …

Chatham House's Environment and Society Centre reassembles to discuss the outcomes of COP29 in Baku, Azerbaijan, what this means for climate finance and multilateralism, and how Ben’s Christmas jumper sums up the interconnected challenges developed countries face in balancing global resilience with domestic obligations. With Chris Aylett, Richard K…

Five months in, has Sir Keir Starmer's foreign policy been a success? The UK-EU relationship remains a major challenge for 2025, as does the prospect of a new US president. How will Starmer respond, and will the recent Chagos Islands deal impact the UK's international standing? is joined the BBC’s diplomatic editor , Professor , the director of UK …

Matthew begins his gospel with the genealogy of Jesus, and after seventeen verses that most of us pretty much skip over, he jumps right into the birth of Jesus. But he’s the only one who tells us something very important about Joseph...Par Rick Wenneborg

To access the links that are mentioned in this month's podcast, just visit the Growing Chatham Newsletter.Par NC State Extension

Europe is contending with a stagnating economy, political dysfunction in Germany and France, and Russia’s relentless attacks on Ukraine, all while it looks to the return of Donald Trump. Will the continent’s democracies hold together in the face of such challenges? Bronwen Maddox is joined by journalist and historian Timothy Garton Ash, Mujtaba Rah…

Paul told the Thessalonians how he felt about them, and we need to do the same to those we love and care about.Par Rick Wenneborg

As the world moves closer to crossing the 1.5 degree threshold, Bronwen Maddox is joined by former BBC journalist Roger Harrabin and Maria Netto, executive director of the Institute for Climate and Society in Brazil. Also with them from COP29 in Baku is Ruth Townend, senior research fellow with our Environment and Society Centre.…

In this episode, Professor Carlos Lopes discusses what the African Union’s G20 membership means for Africa’s economic and geopolitical influence on the global stage.Par Chatham House

Some of the Thessalonians were so sure that God was speaking through Paul that they accepted what he had to say. They received his word as the very word of God.Par Rick Wenneborg

The re-election of Donald Trump has major consequences for America’s relations with China. The panel discuss how the US-China relationship might change under the next president. Guest host Ben Bland is joined by historian and political scientist Professor Rana Mitter, the FT’s US-China correspondent, Demetri Sevastopulo and Dr Yu Jie, a senior rese…

As COP29 kicks off in Baku, Chatham House's Environment and Society Centre assembles on the airwaves. The team talk Azerbaijan's climate leadership, World Leader vibes, prospects for the conference, and why working on climate change makes you a terrible dinner party guest. Special guest hosted by Climate Briefing Alumnus, Ben Horton.…

So what do we look for in a leader... and how do you know if you’ve found one?Par Rick Wenneborg

Donald Trump has decisively defeated Kamala Harris in the US presidential election. What does his return to the White House mean for America and the world? Bronwen Maddox is joined by Edward Luce, the FT’s North America editor, Gerald Seib, the former Washington bureau chief of The Wall Street Journal and Leslie Vinjamuri, the head of our US and Am…

In this episode, Khalid Omer Yousif discusses how Sudan’s broadest anti-war, pro-democracy coalition, Tagadom, aims to bring civilian voices to the fore in a war dictated by military powers, and their plans to the end of Sudan’s war despite mounting atrocities engulfing the country.Par Chatham House

No one wants their witness for Christ to be in vain... I don’t, you don’t, and the Apostle Paul didn’t.Par Rick Wenneborg

Check out the November Edition of Growing Chatham to access the links, articles and videos.Par NC State Extension

North Korea is sending troops to Russia, but what is Kim Jong Un hoping to get from Vladmir Putin for military assistance against Ukraine? The panel also discuss the role military conscription plays in Israel, South Korea and Ukraine.Bronwen Maddox is joined by Edward Howell, the Korea Foundation fellow at Chatham House, Orysia Lutsevych, the head …

The hope of Christ’s return should be the primary motivator in every Christian’s life. And if it were we too would be known for our work of faith, labor of love, and steadfastness of hope.Par Rick Wenneborg

Ahead of a crucial budget by Chancellor Rachel Reeves, the UK’s national debt is at almost 100 per cent of GDP - and it's not alone. Many G7 economies face massive debt levels, restricting ambitions when it comes to foreign policy and global engagement. Bronwen Maddox is joined by Patrick Wintour, the Guardian’s Diplomatic Editor and Ranil Dissanay…

Make sure this letter gets read to all the brothers and sisters. Don’t leave anyone out.Par Rick Wenneborg

France is facing political turmoil. The survival of Michel Barnier’s new government rests on whether he can pass a controversial budget intended to rescue the country from its huge fiscal deficit. Bronwen Maddox is joined by Sophie Pedder, the Paris Bureau Chief of The Economist, Shahin Vallée, a former advisor to Emmanuel Macron and Armida van Rij…

All that remains is for John to bring the Revelation to a close, and he does so by affirming the truthfulness and the relevance of all we’ve seen.Par Rick Wenneborg

Sanctions regimes are intended to be preferable to military force as a tool of foreign policy, but do they work to change behaviour or end up hurting ordinary people? With Bronwen Maddox is Daniel W Drezner, Professor of International Politics at Tufts University, Allie Renison, Associate Director at SEC Newgate, and Chris Sabatini, Senior Research…

Last week we were given a glimpse of the holy city, as John shared with us his vision of the new heaven and earth. Today that city comes clearly into view.Par Rick Wenneborg

On the first anniversary of the 7 October Hamas attacks, we discuss the possible pathways for peace between Israelis and Palestinians. Bronwen Maddox is joined by Daniel Levy, the president of the US/Middle East Project. With them are Sanam Vakil, director of our Middle East and North Africa Programme (MENAP), and Amjad Iraqi, a MENAP associate fel…

In this episode, Abdihakim Yusuf Ali Ainte and Maram Ahmed discuss ways to turn Somalia’s climate vulnerability to climate resilience – from identifying the environmental and socio-political challenges brought by devastating climate events to exploring innovative climate financing methods for improved climate adaptation.…

Visit the Growing Chatham Newsletter to access the links that are mentioned in this month's podcast.Par NC State Extension

I don’t think we’re remiss in thinking of heaven, our eternal home, as a restoration of the original home God created for us.Par Rick Wenneborg