Quo Vadis Institute #Rethink Quo Vadis Institute

In this episode of our podcast #Rethink, Jasper Knecht engages in a conversation with Sam Mabley, a young Christian from Bristol (UK), who founded a fashion company (YesFriends) centered around the idea of making ethical clothing affordable. Sam shares his story and discusses how he became intrigued by issues in the fashion industry. To quote from their website: „Clothes are the products with the 2nd highest risk of modern slavery in their supply chain and use around 10% of global greenhouse gases“.   

There's an inherent awareness that something doesn't quite add up when we purchase a T-shirt for a mere 5-10 euros from a mainstream fashion chain. Maybe we've caught wind of the harmful impact of dyeing methods, releasing alarming quantities of toxic chemicals into rivers and triggering catastrophic effects on nearby ecosystems and communities. The pressing question, however, remains: What actionable steps can we take? The prevailing industry operates within these established “norms”, and the prospect of transitioning to alternatives, often considerably pricier, poses a financial challenge for many. How do we address this dilemma and contribute to positive change? 

Sam, who faced the same problems, decided to change something right here and create a way to offer fashion that is both ethically produced and affordable. In the conversation, he meticulously describes the processes necessary for making this possible and also paints a broader economic picture, showing how we, as consumers, can support a change in the way fashion is produced and perceived.  

Moreover, Sam describes how, as a Christian, he reflects on issues of justice and perceives a clear mandate in the Bible to contemplate justice and social conditions, as well as to actively get involved when unjust conditions are observed or become salient. 



Sam Mabley studied music at the university of Bristol. He is a co-founder of the ethical clothing company Yes Friends.

In this episode, Elaine Pountney shares about her life as a counsellor. She reflects on the nature of wellbeing, the connection between flourishing and relationships, and whether flourishing is possible after trauma. We loved our conversation so we hope you’ll enjoy it as well.



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In this episode, Dr. Sarah Foot discusses her work as a Palliative Care Physician. What does good, holistic care look like? Foot explains that a physical problem does not always have a physical solution and that much of her job is also to help patients navigate choices and decisions. Important in this process is to define what success means in this context? Even though ‘curing’ a patient is not often a realistic aim, it is very rewarding to help people manage pain and support them in achieving their goals.

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Revd Dr Dave Bookless is Director of Theology for A Rocha International. A Rocha is an international Christian organisation engaging in scientific research, environmental education and community-based conservation projects across six continents. In this conversation, Dr Bookless talk more about his heart for Creation Care and the ways in which he think those issues are connected with Human Flourishing.



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Introduction to our new five-part series on "Human Flourishing":

What does it mean for people to do well, to flourish? This is a difficult query that would probably lead to a variety of answers, depending on who is answering it. Nevertheless, how we understand human wellbeing influences many of our decisions in the public sphere, as ‘human wellbeing’ is oftentimes the explicit or implicit objective. This five-part series hears professionals reflect on the nature of their work in the first place and how what they think ‘human flourishing’ is and how it guides them.

EPISODE 1: Dr Darrell Cosden is a specialist on the theology of work and has written extensively on the topic. In this episode, Dr Cosden introduces us to some of the main aspects of the theology and work and links it to his understanding of what it means for a human being to well, in the context of work.



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This episode features a conversation between Professor John Wyatt and Jasper Knecht. 

Following the publication of his book Death Without Dignity? Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide in Europe, Prof John Wyatt discusses the reasons for writing this book. What are his observations about our societies’ thoughts about the issue? What does he think of the arguments used in favour of the practise? In this episode, John explains some of his motivations and ideas. 

 

We warmly invite you to listen and rethink! 

 

Professor John Wyatt is Emeritus Professor of Neonatal Paediatrics, Ethics & Perinatology at University College London and worked as a paediatrician specialising in the care of newborn babies at a leading neonatal intensive care unit for more than 25 years. 

Visit Prof Wyatt’s website here: www.johnwyatt.com 

 

The book eath Without Dignity? Euthanasia and Assisted Suicide in Europe is available as print version (English and German), E-Book (English and German), and as Audio-Book (German only) at several platforms. 

For more information or to buy this book please visit https://qvi.eu/purchase-book. 



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