Personal approaches to spirituality from around the world. Heart and Soul is a weekly half-hour programme that has the scope and understanding to explore different experiences of spirituality from around the world. Whether examining religious faith or any other belief-system, the programme talks to believers and non-believers, and tries to get beyond superficial notions of spirituality and religion.

The former Catholic nun helping others who want to leave their religious communities in Poland. What happens when a Catholic nun in Poland chooses to leave her religious community? How does she re-enter society? Nuns are rejecting their orders after experiencing what they now regard as abuse. Some say they have even been sexually abused by priests. Izabela Moscicka recently made this journey. She stopped being a nun and is now living independently in Krakow. She knows how hard it can be, so she is setting up an aid centre for nuns and former nuns, who are looking for assistance and refuge. For the first time, Izabela shares her life story, the realities of the life of Polish nuns on a day to day basis, and the difficulties they have if they decide to leave the church. We also hear from one of the former nuns she is trying to help. She recently left her religious community after she reported historical sexual abuse by a priest. She says her order did nothing and told her to leave. The Catholic Church in Poland is aware of these accusations. Father Piotr Studnicki is the episcopal delegate for child sex abuse on the Polish Bishop’s conference. He has set up an official Catholic church phone line for nuns who need help. But with a culture of silence in Polish society around nuns leaving their orders and the abuses they endure whilst in their communities, how can these women get the help they need to start new lives? Orla O’Brien travels to Poland to find out. Released on: 22 September 2023

The American atheists removing illegal religious signs from streets across the states. On a busy street in Los Angeles a group of people in yellow vests are holding a ladder against a lamppost. Up the ladder, 34-year-old Evan Clark is ripping down a sign that is nailed to the post. It reads “Jesus: The way, the truth, the life”. These are members of the Atheist Street Pirates, local activists who track and remove religious signs affixed to public property. “Jesus Saves”. “Repent”. “Bible or Hell”. It’s not uncommon to see signs like this whilst sitting in Los Angeles’ notorious traffic, whether on placards stapled to telephone posts or on large banners draped across freeways. And whilst the First Amendment of the US Constitution allows freedom of expression and religion, this groups says that there are laws that forbid the erection of religious messages on public property. In 2020 the American non-profit group Atheists United started tracking these signs in Los Angeles and realised that, with the help of volunteers, they could legally remove them. They also launched an interactive map tracking sightings of signs across the US. One pirate in Texas even recently went on an eight-state tour, tracking and removing such signs. There are even interfaith leaders and progressive Christian pastors who have joined the pirates to remove signs, as they believe they interfere with creating a pluralistic society. Nastaran Tavakoli-Far travels to Los Angeles and joins the Atheist Street Pirates out on a hunt for religious signs to find out more. Producer/presenter: Nastaran Tavakoli-Far Production Co-ordinator: Mica Nepomuceno Released on: Friday 21 July 2023.

Rev Malcolm Rogers extraordinary story of faith and diplomacy. After providing spiritual leadership to his diverse congregation in Russia, he now returns home to the UK. Released on: 11 August 2023 The Rev Malcolm Rogers has been in charge of the most extraordinary church. St Andrews looks like an ordinary British Victorian church, but amazingly it’s just ten minutes from the heart of power in Russia, the Kremlin. His flock includes local Russian people but also many English speaking ex-pats and members of Moscow's international community. This would have been an unusual posting at any time, but he’s been there during a remarkable period. It included the diplomatic dispute over the Salisbury poisonings, the Football World Cup staged in Russia, the Covid pandemic and now the war in Ukraine.  It has put him in a sensitive situation at times, but it has also helped him to understand how the world is seen through Russian eyes.     After six years, Malcolm and his wife Alison have just left Moscow, bringing to an end their inspiring spiritual and personal journey. In this edition of Heart and Soul, we hear their extraordinary story of faith and diplomacy. Malcolm has provided religious leadership to his diverse congregation, but at times he has had to tread carefully. As the diplomatic chasm opened up after the invasion of Ukraine, that became more acute. Producer/presenter: Bob Walker Production co-ordinator: Mica Nepomuceno Editor: Jonathan Hallewell

The Archbishop of Canterbury in conversation with the musician Nick Cave. The songwriter, poet and author, Nick Cave has a conversation about grief, faith and the spirituality of music with the Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby. Nick writes hauntingly beautiful songs – the themes of which tackle deep questions about humanity – often drawing from biblical sources. He was born in rural Victoria in Australia in the late '50s – a Cathedral chorister turned chaotic teenager who dropped out of art school to pursue a music career. After his first band The Birthday Party broke up in 1983, he formed Nick Cave and the Bad Seeds - and went on to have hits including The Mercy Seat, Where the Wild Roses Grow, and Into my Arms. He and his second wife Susie moved to Brighton in the early 2000s, where they raised their twin sons, Arthur and Earl. In 2015, Arthur died in a tragic accident, at the age of 15, after falling from a cliff. Last year, Nick’s eldest son Jethro also died in Melbourne at the age of 31. Much of Nick’s art in recent years has dealt with grief, suffering and forgiveness. He reflects on this in his remarkable book, ‘Faith, Hope and Carnage’, written during the pandemic with the journalist Sean O’Hagan. And he openly explores love and loss with those who write to him on his online forum called, ‘The Red Hand Files’.

The millennials exploring big spiritual questions, outside of traditional religion. The founders of The Nearness almost went into ministry but instead now gather people online to explore big questions usually reserved for religious leaders. A doctor in New York, Anjoli has been longing for a space to practise spirituality within a like-minded community, but she does not want to go to her parents’ Hindu temple. Whilst she likes the rituals and the sense of community, she feels torn over the teachings about race and caste. She's one of a flock of people signing up to an online community called The Nearness - a group brought together by people with Divinity School backgrounds who yearn for a community where they can explore big spiritual questions, but outside the confines of tradition religion. The Nearness meets once a week in small groups and the founders have devised rituals and questions that help the groups on their own spiritual journeys and practice. The Nearness grew out of co-founder Casper ter Kuile's personal struggles. He went to Divinity School and started the process of becoming ordained as a Unitarian Minister. He began to feel that it wasn't for him, even though he still considers the possibility of ordination. Alec Gewirtz also co-founded The Nearness. He never became fully involved with his family’s Jewish faith and yet has a strong desire for the sense of community that comes with religion. Research suggests that many millennials are hungry for spiritual communities but wary of mainstream religious ones, so they are trying to create their own. But is it possible to do this in a lasting way, without the history, traditions and rituals of an established faith? Can this generation, which is so comfortable with the internet and innovation, create what they need – their own spiritual community outside of the confines of traditional religion? Producer/presenter: Nastaran Tavakoli-Far Editor: Helen Grady Production co-ordinator: Mica Nepomuceno [Released on: 04 August 2023]

Should the Anglican Church allow and conduct LGBT blessings, and even marriages? The Church of England prohibits same-sex relations. Even so, the debate on this position – in the UK and the worldwide Anglican Communion - continues. Should the Church allow and conduct LGBT blessings, and even marriages? And can the Church ever sanction sexual relations between two people who are not husband and wife, man and woman? These are the questions Anglicans tussle with. Most recently, bishops in England made a proposal that same-sex couples should be welcomed in church for a blessing. Opposition from conservative, Anglican groups has been noisy, including from some same-sex attracted Christians. Ahead of the General Synod, the Church of England’s regular gathering of bishops, and elected clergy and laity, Heart and Soul explores the most divisive and explosive issue facing Anglicans. Linda Pressly meets Christians who both accept, and struggle with, the Church’s teachings on sexuality. Producer/presenter: Linda Pressly Editor: Helen Grady Production co-ordinator: Mica Nepomuceno Released on: Friday 10 November 2023

Exploring extraordinary spiritual awakenings that follow a confrontation with death. Following a dramatic train accident, David Ditchfield was dragged under a speeding train in Cambridgeshire and nearly lost his life. As he lay in hospital, just before being taken into surgery, he had an extraordinary spiritual experience characterised by overwhelming love, white light and spiritual beings The experience awakened a previously hidden talent for painting and music. Despite his vision of angelic beings and a white tunnel of light, he doesn’t view his life-changing spiritual awakening as a religious experience. He tells his remarkable story and meets the founder of Near Death Experience UK who too had a profound spiritual awakening while in a critical condition. Together, they share the astonishing changes they underwent and explore how their experiences relate to formal religion. Producer: Vishva Samani Series Producer: Rajeev Gupta Editor Helen Grady Production Coordinator: Mica Nepomuceno Released on: Friday 20 October 2023

What next for Jake Emlyn, the world’s number one Hare Krishna rapper? Jake Emlyn’s musical talents were once hailed by international pop star Robbie Williams, who mentored the young English rapper. It lead him to feature on the albums of major stars and tour worldwide. However, 10 years ago, on the verge of signing a major record deal, Jake’s life dramatically changed. Jake lost his father to cancer and it prompted a journey of reflection and self-discovery. A chance meeting with a Hare Krishna monk led Jake to visit the Radha Krishna temple in central London and from then on Jake was hooked to spiritual life. He did not sign the big music deal and instead, for the past decade, decided to devote his life to the Hare Krishna movement, chanting mantras, serving in the temple and taking part in the iconic practise of hare naam, where followers sing and dance in praise of Lord Krishna through public streets. Jake also combined his rapping skills with his religious life and is now billed as the world’s number one Hare Krishna rapper. He has released religious rap albums and become a well-known figure for millions of Hare Krishna followers around the world. However when Rajeev Gupta meets Jake he quickly discovers that he is at a crossroad and is questioning how closely he wants to remain within the Hare Krishna fold. He wants to do new music incorporating all his life experiences but he knows this would mean cutting ties with some within the Hare Krishna movement. Is this a new turning point in Jake’s life and can he continue to call himself the world’s number one Hare Krishna rapper? Released on: Friday 29 September 2023

Confronting the challenges modern Jewish soldiers face serving in the German military. Released on: Friday 18 August 2023 After the horrific role played by the German military in the Holocaust, arguably the last place you would expect to find a Jew would be in the German Armed Forces. And yet it is estimated that today there are around 300 practising Jewish military personnel, and since 2021 they have had their own chaplain, the first chief rabbi – and the first non-Christian - in nearly 90 years. For many, the creation of a military rabbinate sends a strong message throughout German society that Jews are an integral part of the armed forces and the nation as a whole. Some consider it another step on the road towards Germany coming to terms with its dark past. It comes at a moment when the geopolitical landscape has been shifting, as other European nations are looking to Germany for leadership in the military sphere – especially since the Russian invasion of Ukraine. With the help of serving personnel and the head of the military rabbinate, Shelly Kupferberg explores what it means to be Jewish in today’s German armed forces. Shelly also hears from Michael Fürst, the very first Jew to sign up after World War Two, who is now the president of the association of Jewish communities of Lower Saxony. Producer: Fiona Clampin An Overcoat Media production

Hannah Ajala explores the impact of a new generation of Royalty in Nigeria. Hannah Ajala, a Nigerian-British broadcaster will explore the new generation of chieftaincy and royalty in Nigeria. She will take a closer look at some of the key aspects of an inauguration ceremony across various states in Nigeria, and the impact Nigerian royalty has within Diaspora. Hannah will speak to the new wave of Chiefs and Kings embracing this tradition and why they continue with this path whilst integrating more modern practices and preserving their ultimate beliefs. Presenter: Hannah Ajala Producer: Tobi Olujinmi Editor: Emma Ihecherenoma A Hill 5.14 Media production for BBC World Service [Released on: Friday 07 July 2023]

In a remote corner of north-east India, Sipa Melo tries to keep his culture alive. Antonia Bolingbroke-Kent follows Sipa Melo, a shaman in a remote corner of north-east India, as he tries to keep his culture alive in the shadow of the Himalayas. As a shaman, Sipa Melo is the beating heart of tribal faith and culture in a remote corner of north-east India, tucked in the shadow of the Himalayan mountains. He's a healer, a story-teller and a protector of the natural world. Antonia Bolingbroke-Kent joins Sipa for a week of ritual, performing ceremonies to mark deaths and births and maintaining taboos that help preserve this mountainous region's indigenous culture and its rich wildlife. She hears about his determined efforts to encourage a new generation of trainee shamans and his worries about the changing values of the region as roads and hydro-electric dams end its isolation from the booming cities to the south. Presenter: Antonia Bolingbroke-Kent Producer: Alasdair Cross Released on: Friday 14 July 2023

Meet the controversial Korean missionaries driving the growth of Christianity in Nepal. Rebecca Henschke and Kevin Kim gained rare access inside Korea’s Himalayan mission. Nepal has one of fastest growing Christian communities in the world. Helping to drive the growth are South Korean missionaries like Pang Chang-in and his wife Lee Jeong-hee. The couple’s work spreading the word of Jesus is risky. Those found guilty of converting people face up to five years in jail in Nepal. The BBC’s Asia editor Rebecca Henschke and Korean journalist Kevin Kim follow the couple as they open new churches and teach the next generation of Nepali Christian leaders. This is a rare insight into an organised and increasingly controversial Korean mission, spreading the Christian faith high in the Himalayans. Presented by: Rebecca Henschke Produced with: Kevin Kim, Rajan Parajuli, Rama Parajuli and Rajeev Gupta Released on: Friday 13 January 2023

Sixty years on from Dr Martin Luther King Jr’s "I have a dream" speech, we discuss the influence of his words and the role of faith in social justice and anti-racism movements. Baptist minister Dr Martin Luther King Jr delivered his "I have a dream" speech on 28 August 1963 to crowds of over 250,000 in Washington DC as part of the Great March, which called for jobs and freedom for African Americans. It helped spur the passage of the US Civil Rights Act of 1964. On the 60th anniversary of this legendary speech, Emmy award-winning journalist Sherri Jackson meets speakers from differing religious backgrounds and experiences to talk about how they have been influenced by Dr King's words. They discuss the details of his vision, and the role of faith in securing social justice and in anti-racism protest today. Produced by Nina Robinson Series producer: Rajeev Gupta Production coordinator: Mica Nepomuceno The legacy of one of the 20th Century's defining speeches. Released on: Friday 25 August 2023

Twenty years ago, China began a crackdown on Falun Gong. What has become of the movement? It’s been more than two decades since the Chinese government launched a crackdown on Falun Gong. The spiritual group claims practitioners face mass arrest, torture and are murdered by the state for their organs. The movement is seen as the most organised opposition group to the Chinese government. China calls Falun Gong an evil cult determined to bring down the Chinese Communist Party. Practitioners say the movement is non-political but critics claim the spiritual group is building an international fake news empire, are staunch supporters of Donald Trump and are sympathetic to far-right politicians. Banned in mainland China, Falun Gong believers once practiced and protested openly in Hong Kong. But since the introduction of a draconian national security law Falun Gong’s presence in the territory has all but vanished. The BBC’s Danny Vincent travels to the self-ruled island of Taiwan to talk to practitioners about their faith, persecution, the Chinese Communist Party and the future of Falun Gong. Producer: Danny Vincent Series Producer: Rajeev Gupta

Personal approaches to spirituality from around the world. Heart and Soul is a weekly half-hour programme that has the scope and understanding to explore different experiences of spirituality from around the world. Whether examining religious faith or any other belief-system, the programme talks to believers and non-believers, and tries to get beyond superficial notions of spirituality and religion.

How members of the global movement L'Arche are trying to heal following a scandal that its founder Jean Vanier used it to hide a mystical sex sect. Jean Vanier changed Richard and Hazel’s lives. He founded the L’Arche movement – a global network inspired by Christian teaching – where people with and without learning disabilities live together in community. During his life, Vanier was hailed as “a living saint” and “a prophet”. But shortly after his death, a deep and disturbing secret emerged – that Vanier founded L’Arche to hide a mystical sex sect, coercing and abusing at least 25 women, all without disabilities. Richard and Hazel were stunned when they discovered the truth. Now they and 150 L’Arche communities are coming to terms with what has happened. Through L’Arche, Richard has travelled the world, becoming a spokesperson for people with learning disabilities. Hazel started off as an assistant but has risen through the ranks of the faith based movement. As they deal with the pain of betrayal, their faith is challenged and they question everything. Through their friendship, we look at how ordinary L’Arche members are trying to heal and rebuild their communities. Presenter/producer: Catherine Murray Production Co-ordinator: Mica Nepomuceno Editor: Helen Grady

How Florida's Baptist Relief provided support for local communities affected by Hurricane Ian. As Hurricane Ian prepared to hammer the Gulf coast of Florida in October 2022, Florida Baptist Disaster Relief was already mobilising nine pop-up kitchens in order to prepare meals in south-west Florida for its residents. After the hurricane hit, volunteers set about recovery work as a half million people had no electricity. Some volunteers returned to Florida from Kentucky's mountains, where they had been providing disaster relief to home-owners flooded out by catastrophic storms in late July. The presence of Baptist relief organisations at US climate-related disasters is striking - they can seem as visible on the ground as federal government organisations. Their relief work is inspired by their mission - this is God's love in action. Presenter: Olivia Reevell Producer: Philip Reevell

Why are some young Muslim men being drawn into the toxic online space of the manosphere? In Britain the growth of Islam is being driven by a younger population, born and brought up in the United Kingdom. This includes BBC reporter Rahil Sheikh. Having grown up against the backdrop of the ‘war on terror’ and rising Islamophobia, he has seen how young Muslims have turned to social media to forge online safe spaces where they can connect, celebrate and discuss their faith. These spaces have spawned influencers who have millions of followers around the world. Young Muslims say these social media stars explain the faith in a more relatable way than the imams or spiritual leaders they may encounter in the mosque. But in recent years, Rahil has noticed that some of these male Muslim influencers have been using Islam to advocate alpha masculinity as a way of combating liberalism and feminism. Critics – including some Muslim women - argue this is a misguided interpretation of the faith. This came under the spotlight recently when controversial influencer Andrew Tate converted to Islam, a decision that sparked much debate in Muslim social media spaces and seems to have further polarised Muslims online, mainly on gender lines. Rahil Sheikh speaks to young Muslims about how social media has shaped their faith. He finds out why these divisive Muslim influencers hold so much sway with young men. Where do more traditional Muslim institutions – such as the mosque and imams - fit into this? Presenter: Rahil Sheikh Producer: Nalini Sivathasan Production co-ordinator: Mica Nepomuceno Researcher: Zayna Shaikh Editor: Helen Grady

Michael Goldfarb explores "evangelical" and "political" Christianity in the US. One of the founding principles of the United States is that religion and politics, church and state, are separate. Yet today in America religious belief and politics have become inseparable. Self-styled "evangelical" Christians have become the dominant grassroots force in the Republican Party. "Evangelical" is not a denomination, it can mean different things to different people in terms of religious doctrine. The unifying principle seems to be in the political outlook of its adherents: deeply conservative in the 21st century American political context. How did this happen and what does this have to do with faith? Is American "evangelical" Christianity more a form of politics than religion? Michael Goldfarb explores the irony of how the word evangelical came to replace protestant - with its political inference that it is a form of "protest" - as the preferred name for the majority of America's Christians. Around one-third of Americans identify as evangelical Christians. He looks back at earlier surges of religious fervour that have marked American history, so far there have been four "Great Awakenings", and wonders if the current upsurge marks a fifth. Reporting from the American heartland, speaking with evangelical pastors, their flocks and students, Michael explores the tension between a life of Christian faith and the dirty realities of secular politics.

Meet the Christians debating a ban on so-called Conversion Therapy in Switzerland. We meet Swiss Christians whose lives were changed by so-called conversion therapy - those healing from the trauma of this controversial practice and those who still support it. There’s a debate raging in Switzerland over a potential nationwide ban on so-called conversion therapy. We meet Christians whose lives the procedure has changed forever. They explain how growing up in an Evangelical community, they struggled with their faith and sexuality from a young age – driving them to seek help. So-called conversion therapy has been around for centuries. The controversial practice is used around the world to try to change a person’s sexual orientation or gender identity. In Switzerland, common methods include prayers and talking therapies but elsewhere practitioners use exorcisms, electroshock therapy and even physical and sexual violence. These so-called treatments are something that people of all genders undergo. We meet the people still healing from the trauma of so-called conversion therapy in Switzerland. Having accepted themselves as gay Christians, they are now supporting others in the community and campaigning to change the law. Psychologists say there’s no evidence so-called conversion therapy works, and warn that it can be harmful. But there are also Christians who defend the practice or who do not want to see it outlawed. We meet a man who says it has helped him with his sexuality. The issue has become a hot topic in in Switzerland, and the parliamentary process to potentially enact a nationwide ban is underway. But there is still a long way to go. Claire Jones meets the Christians working to change the law, and those who are against a legislative ban. Presenter: Claire Jones Producer: Rachel Briggs Editor: Helen Grady Production co-ordinator: Mica Nepomuceno Released on: 16 Jun 2023.

Barbara Blake-Hannah talks about her life on the 75th Anniversary of Windrush. Prof. Robert Beckford interviews Barbara Blake-Hannah the UK’s first black news reporter who returned to Jamaica after just eight years after coming over as part of the Windrush generation. She talks about how racism lead her to embrace the Rastafari faith and what it means to her. Presenter: Dr. Robert Beckford Producer: Rajeev Gupta Production Coordinator: Mica Nepomuceno Released on: 23 Jun 2023

What are the consequences of the Church of England's historic slave plantations in Barbados today? What are the consequences of the Church of England's historic slave plantations in Barbados today? Theologian Robert Beckford considers why and how the Church's missionary arm, the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel, got involved in the slavery business. He travels to Barbados to hear from a range of voices who tell the story of how in 1710, the Church turned the Codrington Plantation into a missionary experiment. The original mission failed but later generations did eventually adopt the Anglican faith. However, spurred by the country becoming a republic, some are now questioning the Church's historic role in slavery. For some, it has turned them away from Christianity; for others, there is a need to decolonise or Africanise Anglican Christianity in Barbados. They say the religion's only hope of survival on the island is to make it relevant to the black majority populace. Through the voices of Bajan Anglican worshipers, Robert interrogates what the future of the Church now looks like in terms of practice and governance in Barbados. Presenter: Robert Beckford Producer: Rajeev Gupta

In the second part of this two part series looking at the role of the Church of England in Barbados, Professor Robert Beckford explores the Christian understanding of reparations. Professor Robert Beckford explores the Christian understanding of reparations. He speaks to Christians in Barbados who say reparations from the Church are now both justified and necessary. But their perspective is only one side of the story. In England, representatives from the Church of England and the Society for the Propagation of the Gospel articulate their understanding of reparations and why they believe it is unnecessary. Robert looks into Christian scripture to explore if there could be a theological case for the payment of reparations. Presenter: Robert Beckford Producer: Rajeev Gupta

How can followers of the UK’s fastest growing religion prove their beliefs are sincere? According to the national census, the number of British people who say they follow Shamanism as a religion has risen twelvefold in the space of 10 years. While the numbers are still low – at around 8,000 followers - the increase has put pressure on those who have followed the practice for years. Without a clear set of beliefs and a central organisation, the practice of Shamanism itself has its roots in different parts of the world. How do experienced Shamanic practitioners ensure their belief is not hijacked by those whose motives are not purely spiritual? The BBC’s Amber Haque visits a British shaman to find out what Shamanism is, what it means to her and her circle of believers and why they think it should be taken seriously. Presenter: Amber Haque Producer: Rob Cave Production co-ordinator: Mica Nepomuceno Editor: Helen Grady

[12 May 2023] How the Chè-lâm Presbyterian Church is helping Hong Kong activists who’ve fled to Taiwan since the introduction of the national security law. Cindy Sui discovers how the Chè-lâm Presbyterian Church in central Taipei has been helping Hong Kong activists who have fled to Taiwan in the aftermath of the large-scale anti-government protests in 2019 and since the introduction of the region’s national security law. The Lunar New Year is a time when families usually come together and celebrate, but the Hongkongers that Cindy meets are unable to return to their homeland. Instead, they find support and a sense of community at the church which offers a service in Cantonese. As Dr Roselyn Hsueh, associate professor of Political Science at Temple University explains, the Chè-lâm Presbyterian Church in Taiwan has a history of supporting pro-democracy activism. We discover that during the 2019 protests in Hong Kong, it organised a collection of US$160,000 worth of protective gear (gas masks, helmets, bulletproof vests, eye protection) which was shipped over to frontline activists - even though they sometimes used violent means. Upon arrival in Taiwan, many political refugees reach out to the church for help. In addition to spiritual support, the church meets their medical, psychological and social needs. Cindy uncovers why a large proportion of the activists who first fled to Taiwan have now left the island. Others are in visa limbo. Many suffer from PTSD.

Monika Plaha meets the young Sikhs reviving ancient musical traditions and decolonising their sacred song. In the heyday of the Sikh Empire, Kirtan - Sikh hymns - were performed using stringed instruments such as the sarangi, rabab and taus. The rich, complex tones these instruments create are said to evoke a deeper connection to Waheguru (God). But in the late 19th Century, these traditional instruments were replaced by European imports like the harmonium. Now a new generation of diaspora Sikhs is painstakingly rebuilding that musical heritage - restoring scores and gathering to teach and learn traditional instruments. In 2022, the Akal Takht, the highest temporal authority for Sikhs, signalled a revival of stringed instruments in the Golden Temple, the holiest Sikh shrine. But can they attract and train enough musicians to put strings back at the heart of Sikh worship? Monika Plaha meets one these musical pioneers, Harjinder Singh Lallie, and finds out how his beliefs fuel his work and how his music shapes his faith. Producer: Rachel Briggs and Ajai Singh Presenter: Monika Plaha Editor: Helen Grady Production co-ordinator: Mica Nepomuceno

How nudity is helping a woman from Florida heal from purity culture’s teachings about the female body. Gwen was brought up as a strict evangelical Christian. She was taught that women needed to control the way they dressed and acted to control the behaviour of men. When she was sexually abused, she believed it was her fault. But when she first stepped into a nudist community, she felt free. She was naked, with other naked people, and her nakedness was not making other people molest her. She learnt that her body was not something she had to hide. The BBC’s Josie Le Vay visits Gwen at her home in a nudist community in Florida, USA, as she reconciles with the harm purity culture has caused herself, and those she taught it to. We meet Gwen’s neighbour, Michael, a retired chaplain and pastor, who runs nude bible reading sessions from his home and attends the nearby Garden of Eden church, which celebrates the ‘joy and innocence of Christian naturism’. And we hear how those who practise many of the evangelical teachings Gwen grew up with respond to her new nudist lifestyle; and her Christian friends who believe the Bible justifies their way of life. Producer: Michael Gallagher Presenter: Josie Le Vay Editor: Helen Grady Production co-ordinator: Mica Nepomuceno

What place does religion have in the work of journalists? According to some studies, journalists tend to be less religious than the general population. Some find solace in faith, but others begin to question it. So is it a profession which challenges your religious convictions, strengthens faith or attracts the faithless? Atif Rashid, a Muslim, has started questioning his role as a journalist who believes in god. What place does religion have in the work that he does? To help him consider his future career steps he speaks to other journalists who have turned to god and others who have questioned their beliefs after seeing so much suffering as foreign correspondents. He meets other young Muslim reporters from the USA and the UAE and asks how their jobs impact their faith. And also catches up with two of his former editors, who quit their jobs to lead a more spiritual lifestyle, one as a vicar and another as a monk. Along the way, he considers whether he should follow the same path.