The Profile

Find out what makes influential Christian leaders tick! Hear the faith stories of a huge range of church leaders, musicians, preachers and more, as they share how God has led and guided them through both valleys and mountain-top experiences. The Profile brings you in-depth interviews to help you learn from the wisdom and experiences of people who have gone all-in for God. Past guests include church leaders such as HTB’s Nicky Gumbel, the world renown DJ Moby, Bible teachers Joyce Meyer and John Mark Comer, missionary Jackie Pullinger, Gospel superstar Fred Hammond and worship leaders Martin Smith and Tim Hughes. New episodes are published every Friday, PLUS check out bonus episodes every Wednesday, where our resident leadership expert Andy Peck interviews a range of pastors, preachers and practitioners on the topic of Christian leadership. The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. If you enjoy The Profile you’re sure to love Premier Christianity magazine which will help you understand the changing culture around us and what God is doing through his Church today, read for free now at premierchristianity.com.

  1. 6D AGO

    Christian singer songwriter Philippa Hanna: "The music industry objectifies what is sacred"

    Philippa Hanna, the British Christian singer-songwriter, is best known for her heartfelt vocals that bridge worship and mainstream music and which have made her a familiar face at large-scale Christian festivals for the last two decades. Hanna was born in Sheffield in the mid-80s and grew up in musical family, influenced by her Irish father, who was a touring performer. As well as her own musical success, her brothers Stuart is the former bassist of the band Jamiroquai, and, as discovered in 2025, Peter Cunnah, the lead singer of 90s band D:Ream Hanna discovered song writing aged 10. After a turbulent teenage period she met a Christian musician who introduced her to church and the concept of Jesus and was later saved at a worship event. Understandably she is passionate about music and its spiritual effects and is protective and outspoken about how the traditional music industry 'objectifies' it for profit. Through her multiple albums such as: Through the Woods, Speed of Light, Come Back Fighting, and the worship-focused Stained Glass Stories her music has taken her beyond Christian festivals into wider audiences and she has performed alongside major artists such as Lionel Richie, Little Mix, Marti Pellow, Lulu, and Anastacia. In this episode of The Profile she talks to deputy editor of Premier Christianity Magazine Emma Fowle about the responsibility she feels as a mentor to young women, the surprise and joy of finding out she had a half brother and how she copes with unsolicited parenting advice. The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Enjoy thought-provoking Christian content, including the latest news, inspiring interviews, and exclusive commentary on all that God is doing in the world today. Grab the next 3 issues for just £6. Subscribe today at premierchristianity.com/subscribe.

    56 min
  2. 6D AGO

    Rich Johnson - Leading New Wine England and the challenges of keeping things fresh

    Rich Johnson wears two hats quite comfortably. On the one hand he's an archetypal parish vicar working out of a parish in Worcestershire, and, on the other, he is the leader of New Wine England a non-denominational charity supporting Christian leaders in their everyday work. Johnson grew up in Manchester and moved abroad with his family where he was educated in Belgium and Hamburg. He went on to study Geography at Cambridge and through a college chaplain was introduced to Jesus. He describes his conversion as 'intellectual' with the Holy Spirit coming in later and he realised quite quickly that he wanted to become a vicar. He now ministers at the 'dreamy church' of All Saints in Worcester which he took over in 2009, a place for and by families. Stewardship of New Wine came later. The organisation has made a name for itself primarily through its summer festival in Bath - a hit for those who like loud worship and family focussed seminars. "What is new wine?" he answers, "it's about renewal." In his latest book Holy, Healthy Humble he invites the reader to a smaller more authentic vision of Christian leadership in a world saturated with look-at-me celebrity and explores the idea of what the Lord is doing in the Church right now. In this edition of The Profile he talks to Premier Christianity Editor Sam Hailes about his happy but non-Christian upbringing, how everyone needs therapy and how to keep new wine 'new.' The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Enjoy thought-provoking Christian content, including the latest news, inspiring interviews, and exclusive commentary on all that God is doing in the world today. Grab the next 3 issues for just £6. Subscribe today at premierchristianity.com/subscribe.

    53 min
  3. APR 23

    BBC Radio 1XTRA's Swarzy Macaly on finding faith while shoplifting

    Broadcaster Swarzy Macaly is known for her infectious energy and can be heard on both BBC Radio 1 and the BBC Radio 1XTRA's Weekend Breakfast Show. She's not shy about being real about her faith and tells the story of finding God after being caught shoplifting, and praying to be let go. Not long after that she found herself in church, gave her life to Jesus and hasn't looked back since. After winning a national competition with KISS FM to become a presenter for the weekend breakfast show she admits her 'yakking' helped secure her first job and now blends broadcasting with other interests. She is also an activist and has been vocal about the injustice facing victims in the wake of London's Grenfell Tower fire. Her latest venture is The Last Supper Club, a series that blends faith, food, and community: "Cooking never tires me" says the presenter, who hopes matching The Bible mixed with delicious food will be enough to entice people to hear more about what has changed her own life so much. In this episode of The Profile with Premier Christianity deputy editor Emma Fowle, Swarzy talks about her parent's reticence towards her conversion, being out and proud about her faith in the workplace and her thankfulness for God's grace. The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Enjoy thought-provoking Christian content, including the latest news, inspiring interviews, and exclusive commentary on all that God is doing in the world today. Grab the next 3 issues for just £6. Subscribe today at premierchristianity.com/subscribe.

    51 min
  4. APR 16

    Mythographer Dr. Martin Shaw on his Eastern Orthodox faith and being re-enchanted by God in the wilderness

    Dr Martin Shaw the storyteller and mythographer - someone who studies myths - was well exposed to the ancient tales from an early age. He grew up in a Baptist household in Devon in 1970s with a preacher for a father ad in a house with no television or phone but with access to lots and lots of books. It is no wonder then, that he became fixated with stories and particularly myths. However by his early adulthood he had grown tired of the way the stories of Jesus were told in church, always with a message and a point that made a "muscular sermon." He came to a point, where, in his own words, he "hit the enough button." A number of decades later, following a long stretch living in a tent, as well as writing and performing as a musician and oral storyteller, he found himself praying to God in nature and had a profound spiritual encounter. The experience brought him back to Christianity and he is now a practising Orthodox Christian. Shaw has written a number of books drawing on Celtic, Siberian, Greek myths as well as Christian traditions. His latest title: Liturgies of the Wild released earlier this year is already New York Times bestseller. In this episode of The Profile with Premier Christianity Editor Sam Hailes he talks about his early life story, how myths and stories provide a link to our ancestors and the incredible story of what brought him back to Christ. The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. Enjoy thought-provoking Christian content, including the latest news, inspiring interviews, and exclusive commentary on all that God is doing in the world today. Grab the next 3 issues for just £6. Subscribe today at premierchristianity.com/subscribe.

    58 min
4.5
out of 5
55 Ratings

About

Find out what makes influential Christian leaders tick! Hear the faith stories of a huge range of church leaders, musicians, preachers and more, as they share how God has led and guided them through both valleys and mountain-top experiences. The Profile brings you in-depth interviews to help you learn from the wisdom and experiences of people who have gone all-in for God. Past guests include church leaders such as HTB’s Nicky Gumbel, the world renown DJ Moby, Bible teachers Joyce Meyer and John Mark Comer, missionary Jackie Pullinger, Gospel superstar Fred Hammond and worship leaders Martin Smith and Tim Hughes. New episodes are published every Friday, PLUS check out bonus episodes every Wednesday, where our resident leadership expert Andy Peck interviews a range of pastors, preachers and practitioners on the topic of Christian leadership. The Profile is brought to you by Premier Christianity, the UK’s leading Christian magazine. If you enjoy The Profile you’re sure to love Premier Christianity magazine which will help you understand the changing culture around us and what God is doing through his Church today, read for free now at premierchristianity.com.

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