All Things Considered

BBC Radio Wales

4.3 (92)
RELIGION & SPIRITUALITY
UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Religious affairs programme, tackling the thornier issues of the day in a thought-provoking manner

3D AGO

The Highlights of 2025

Azim, Delyth, Jonathan and Rosa, the presenters of All Things Considered, choose their favourite episodes of 2025.

29 min
12/21/2025

Sacred Stars

Azim Ahmed considers the cultural and religious significance of stars across many different faiths. Professor George van Kooten from the Faculty of Divinity at the University of Cambridge discusses the Star of Bethlehem and the journey of the Magi, while Conwy Fisherman, Carl Davies, explains celestial navigation. Author and Mathematician, Professor Sarah Hart, describes what a hexagram is. Dr Jaclyn Granick from the School of History, Archaeology and Religion at Cardiff University, tells us the origins of the Star of David and how its identity has changed over time. Senior Lecturer in Islamic Studies at Cardiff University, Dr Mansur Ali, explains why stars feature prominently in Islam. Plus, Author and Welsh Witch, Mhara Starling, reveals the magic behind the pentagram. Presented by Azim Ahmed. Produced by Stuart Russell. Audio Supervision by Searle Whittney.

29 min
12/14/2025

Season of the Nativity

As Christmas approaches, schools and churches across Wales are busy making costumes, practising songs, and helping children learn their lines for one of our most enduring traditions: the nativity play. Delyth Liddell visits a range of nativities across Wales, from a drop-in immersive nativity performed in the centre of Aberdare, to a damp but joyful roving nativity in Llanidloes, to primary school children performing their first plays in rural Talgarth and urban Cardiff. But behind the tea towels, tinsel, and excited children lies something deeper, a story that has shaped cultures, communities and childhoods for generations. We explore why the nativity still matters. Should plays be re-shaped and told for modern audiences or stick with the traditional versions? Why is this retelling of an ancient story so important? Much of the nativity we know so well isn’t true to the Bible - does it matter? Delyth visits St. Philip Evans Roman Catholic Primary School in Cardiff, Ysgol y Mynydd Du in Talgarth, St. Elvans Church in Aberdare for a performance of 'Christmas a Story' and a roving nativity in Trefeglwys. She speaks to Professor Wyn James from the University of Cardiff and Naomi Johnson from 'Out of the Ark', a leading publisher of children's nativity plays.

29 min
12/07/2025

No Crib, No Bed

Away in a Manger is one of our favourite carols, but what does it mean for a child not to have a bed of their own? Sadly, this is the reality for too many children in Wales and beyond. In this programme Rosa Hunt looks at three stories where Christian communities are trying to tackle this issue, from child bed poverty to children displaced by bitter conflict. Campbell Edmondson of the Lishon Project in Rhyl talks about addressing the need to supply some children in that area with beds and bedding. Sam Lomas of the Christian charity Home For Good talks about a campaign to get ordinary families to take adolescents and young adults into their homes to provide what they call 'supported lodgings'. Mari McNeill, Head of Christian Aid in Wales, talks about that organisation's Christmas campaign, No Crib for a Bed, drawing attention to the plight of people in the Democratic Republic of Congo where many children have been uprooted from their homes by the bitter violence. Obed Buhendwa, Christian Aid's senior programme officer in the region, reports from Bokavu, a city only 20 km away from the fighting.

29 min

4 Episodes

4.3

out of 5

92 Ratings

All day!!!!!

04/19/2016

MarthaRodCla

If I could listen to this podcast all day I would be happy - happier than Matilda making banana pancakes and getting adopted, happier than a Saturday full of puppies, Netflix and Pinot
Love love love

08/12/2023

Dannyny1978

I only wish it was fully your. It just a wonderful show.
A different perspective

09/11/2010

LindsL84

I may be an american listening to a british podcast, but the content is still interesting to hear, and introduced me to many people I would have never even heard of. Mr. Jenkins and the other moderators are fair and each discussion is never chaotic.
Always interesting

09/17/2009

blueflier

This is one of my most favorite podcasts. Although it is listed in the Christianity category, it is not a sermon or anything like it. It can be a discussion regarding beliefs and differences, sometimes it is about secular issues and how various churches/religions react, it can be to discuss a timely event, but it is always intelligent, respectful dialogue with a wonderful moderator and I always learn something.