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How have single Christians been affected by the expectations of church and family? Has the silence around dating, sex and relationships been helpful or a hindrance? What have been the effects of shrinking numbers of Christians, fewer couples meeting in church and people marrying later for women who were taught to expect marriage as a natural stage of life? How can single people navigate ambiguous friendships, uneven numbers of men and women in the church, and live well no matter what their relationship status? Vicky Walker talks to broadcaster and journalist Genelle Aldred about all these things, and her experiences growing up as a pastor's child, the stillbirth of her daughter, love and sex, compromise, career, leadership, definitions of singleness, expanding horizons and what drives relationship choices. This episode was sponsored by Christian Connection and Single Friendly Church. Get 25% off Christian Connection membership by visiting https://www.christianconnection.com/relatable

Christian views about the roles of women and men have been debated for millennia, with conversations about submission, leadership, gender roles and what should come naturally to the sexes still rolling on. Do gender roles help or hinder flourishing? What does a marriage based on egalitarian values and theology look like? Vicky Walker talks to writer, activist and runner Jenny Baker, author of 'Equals - enjoying gender equality in all areas of life' about her role models, marriage, parenting, how men and women can work together in relationships and where the church can help.  This episode was sponsored by Christian Connection and Single Friendly Church. Get 25% off Christian Connection membership by visiting https://www.christianconnection.com/relatable

Why would a 13 year old boy take a vow of celibacy? What happens when he later enters the world of rap? MOBO Award winning rapper Faith Child's childhood memories include poverty and witnessing domestic abuse.  Vicky Walker talks to the TV presenter and performer about forgiveness, family and what it means to be a man. Should gender roles exist? Does it matter who earns more money in a relationship? How important are dating, friendship and fulfilment in an abstinent life? This episode was sponsored by Christian Connection and Single Friendly Church. Get 25% off Christian Connection membership by visiting https://www.christianconnection.com/relatable

The church has long linked fertility to being blessed by God. 'Children are a heritage from the Lord, offspring a reward from him...Blessed is the man whose quiver is full of them' is even in the bible. What does it mean to be a man who can't reproduce? How do Christians respond when longed-for children don't come along? What does a full life look like when dreams and desires are unfulfilled? Vicky Walker talks to writer and broadcaster Sheridan Voysey about masculinity, marriage, infertility, love, redemption and what happens when life doesn't go to plan.   This episode was sponsored by Christian Connection and Single Friendly Church. Get 25% off Christian Connection membership by visiting https://www.christianconnection.com/relatable

Christian teaching about sex outside of marriage can be very black and white - 'Don't do it!' - but increasingly Christians have a wide range of sexual ethics. Is there one right way? How do church expectations affect sexual development?  Vicky Walker talks to Kate Mounce and Eleanor Young AKA the Beside Ourselves Collective, whose theatre show 'Just Don't Do It' unpicks their own experiences of growing up, sex, sexuality and faith. Covering shame, struggle, singleness, frustration, freedom and desire, what could change and should it?  This episode was sponsored by Christian Connection and Single Friendly Church. Get 25% off Christian Connection membership by visiting https://www.christianconnection.com/relatable

Does avoiding physically intimacy before marriage make for a great relationship after? That's one of the big 'sales pitches' often given to young Christians. Vicky Walker talks to Australian performer Lara Pilcher who didn't kiss her husband Andrew until their wedding day, thirteen years ago. What led them to that decision? What happened next? Would they recommend their relationship choices to others? This episode was sponsored by Christian Connection and Single Friendly Church. Get 25% off Christian Connection membership by visiting https://www.christianconnection.com/relatable Music used by permission of Clap and Thunder Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/relatablethebook/ Twitter: @RelatableBook01 Facebook: @VickyWalkerWriterPage

Relationships, dating, sex and marriage are changing. What difference does having a faith make to relationship choices? What does love look like in the 21st century? What is the future for relationships? How are singleness and marriage evolving? Building on the book 'Relatable: Exploring God, Love and Connection in the Age of Choice', the Relatable podcast explores stories from different stages of life and love, and brings into focus the challenges of navigating faith and relationships. In each episode Vicky Walker hosts a conversation about Christianity and modern relationships, and covers sensitive and challenging subjects with a range of fascinating interviewees: sex, celibacy, the roles of women and men, marriage, single life and that slightly awkward question... do some Christians really not kiss until their wedding day? Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/relatablethebook/ Twitter: @RelatableBook01 Facebook: @VickyWalkerWriterPage