The Thread, from Alpha

Episode

• LC26 Bonus Episode: Nicky Gumbel in Conversation with Cardinal Tagle 23.06.2026 22mnt

  Speaking to Nicky Gumbel in Rome, Cardinal Luis Antonio Tagle – one of just 12 Cardinal-Bishops in the Catholic Church – shares his wisdom on humility, being a good listener, remaining anchored in Jesus, and being light of heart. He also summarises 12 concepts central to the Christian faith in just a few words each.
• LC26 Bonus Episode: An interview with Evika Siliņa 16.06.2026 23mnt

  "Fear is the worst advisor." In a captivating interview with Nicky Gumbel, Latvia's former Prime Minister Evika Siliņa shares her wisdom on leadership. She discusses everything from running Alphas and encountering the Holy Spirit, to being called into politics and her friendship with President Zelenskyy.
• LC26 Bonus Episode: Nicky Gumbel, The Unshakeable Kingdom 09.06.2026 45mnt

  In his LC26 address, Nicky Gumbel reminds us that in a world marked by instability, anxiety, and uncertainty, the Kingdom of God remains unshakable. Drawing on Hebrews 12:28 and the biblical image of Jesus as the Rock, he shares a message of resilience and hope – encouraging the church to unite around Jesus, the unshakable rock, and challenging us to play our part in the evangelisation of the nations, the revitalisation of the church, and the transformation of society.  
• The Open Generation, Going Viral, and Returning to First Love with Xenia James & Jesse Fellingham 18.03.2026 1j 8mnt

  Stephen Foster is joined by Xenia James and Jesse Fellingham, two hosts of the Alpha Youth Series and The Way UK. They share their personal journeys to faith, the story behind their street interviews with thousands of young people, and what they’re discovering about Gen Z’s openness to spirituality and Christianity. They also reflect on the pressures of online momentum, the importance of slowing down to prioritise time with God and tend to one’s own internal world, and the role of church community while working to reach a new generation.
• Faith Across Borders with Miles Toulmin, Shaila Visser & Patricia Lau: Stories of Growth, Renewal, & the Next Generation 04.03.2026 40mnt

  Stephen Foster speaks with Miles Toulmin, CEO of Alpha International; Shaila Visser, Global Vice President and National Director of Alpha Canada; and Patricia Lau, Executive Director of Alpha Hong Kong about Alpha’s impact around the world. From church planting in Malaysia to student-led Alpha in schools, they explore a global surge in faith, innovative outreach, and how even children as young as 10 are actively sharing their faith. 
• The Science of Happiness with Arthur Brooks: Leadership, Meaning, and the Cost of Success 18.02.2026 57mnt

  Join Stephen Foster and Arthur Brooks, Professor at Harvard University and New York Times bestselling author, live from Leadership Conference 2025 as they discuss the science of happiness for leaders and the importance of reckoning with idols. Arthur shares fascinating findings on neurochemistry, covering the concepts of enjoyment, satisfaction, and meaning; the emotional cost of leadership; and insights on impulse control, dopamine, addiction, and truth-telling.  
• Against the Current with Louise Perry: Sex, Truth, and the Return to Faith 04.02.2026 56mnt

  Author and journalist, Louise Perry, joins Stephen Foster to examine why the sexual revolution has failed many women and families. Drawing on data, lived experience, and her own journey from atheism to faith, she reflects on marriage, dating, power, and why ancient wisdom may speak more clearly to modern confusion than today’s promises of liberation.
• Extraordinary Days with Archie Coates, Al Gordon & Pete Hughes: Spiritual Hunger, Openness, and the Call to Be Ready 21.01.2026 47mnt

  Stephen Foster is joined by church leaders Archie Coates, Al Gordon, and Pete Hughes. Together they reflect on a growing spiritual openness across society and a renewed hunger for God within the church. They discuss the surge of people exploring faith, stories of healing and encounter, and what this moment calls for in terms of prayer, invitation, and relational leadership – especially in raising up the next generation.
• Faith in a Shaking World with Nicky Gumbel 10.12.2025 32mnt

  In this episode, Stephen Foster talks with Nicky Gumbel about faith and leadership in a world marked by conflict and uncertainty. Nicky reflects on a growing spiritual hunger and openness he’s seeing, including in his own Alpha group. They discuss leading like Jesus, the challenges of leadership today, and the importance of unity and learning from the global church.
• LC25 Bonus Series: A Conversation with Bear Grylls 09.09.2025 25mnt

  In this Bonus episode of The Thread from Leadership Conference 2025, we hear from multiple Emmy and BAFTA Award winner Bear Grylls. Bear joins Nicky Gumbel live from the Royal Albert Hall and shares about his new book "The Greatest Story Ever Told", the process of writing it, and how deeply it has impacted his life.
• Going to God for Creativity with Steve Chao 27.08.2025 51mnt

  In this episode of The Thread, Stephen sits down with Director of the Chinese Alpha Film Series, the Alpha Youth Series and the upcoming new Alpha Series, and the CEO of SignalFlare Productions, Steve Chao. Steve shares incredible insights into leading with faith in creative spaces and how his background in journalism at the heart of war zones across the globe shaped his passion for storytelling. Content Warning: This episode contains several mentions of topics associated with warfare.
• LC25 Bonus Episode: Ordinary Jobs, Extraordinary Calling - Making a Kingdom Impact in the Workplace 19.08.2025 44mnt

  In this Bonus episode from Leadership Conference 2025, Patricia Lau, Executive Director of Alpha Hong Kong, is joined by global business leaders to look at how we can transform everyday work into patterns of Kingdom impact in the workplace.
• Spiritual Inheritance with Jacintha Tagal 13.08.2025 43mnt

  Jacintha Tagal leads HTBB Church in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, with her husband, Abel Cheah. In this episode, she shares with Stephen how her father’s headhunting Lun Bawang tribe in East Malaysia received the gospel and experienced the miraculous. She and Stephen discuss revival, spiritual inheritance, ministry, grief, and doing succession well.
• LC25 Bonus Epsiode: Changemakers Rising - Conversations With Young Leaders Shaping Social Justice 12.08.2025 1j 2mnt

  In this Leadership Conference 2025 bonus episode, Rachel Gardner, Youth Innovation Lead at St Luke's church in Blackburn, is joined by emerging young leaders for a conversation on how we can reshape our thinking on social transformation, justice and God's kingdom, looking at how we can partner with God's work in bold new ways.
• LC25 Bonus Episode: Leader and Parent - Navigating the Dual Callings of Parenting and Leadership 05.08.2025 1j 1mnt

  In this episode from Leadership Conference 2025, Amy and Rachel Hughes are joined their husbands Tim and Jonny Hughes alongside Priscilla Shirer for a conversation on how we wear the dual hats of both parenting and leadership and how we navigate the challenges and the joys of wearing those two hats together.
• Being a Disciple-Making Disciple with Abel Cheah 30.07.2025 49mnt

  In this episode of The Thread, Stephen sits down with Abel Cheah, Vicar of HTBB Church in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia to explore topics like the hunger, not for more leadership content, but for authentic examples of leadership, the raising up of new leaders, and what it takes to be a disciple-making disciple.
• LC25 Bonus Episode: Renaissance - Igniting your Imagination 29.07.2025 1j 1mnt

  In this bonus episode from Leadership Conference 2025, Al Gordon and Farida Matthews explore the biblical and psychological aspects of the imagination and look at how you can unlock the creative potential of your mind.
• LC25 Bonus Series: Rachel Gardner and The Hunger of the Next Generation 22.07.2025 25mnt

  This episode brings you Rachel Gardner's mainstage talk from the Leadership Conference 2025. Rachel looks at what God is doing amongst younger generations today, and how we as the Church must respond in this particular cultural moment.
• Building on the Prayers of Generations with Dan Blythe 16.07.2025 43mnt

  In this episode, Stephen is joined by Alpha’s Global Youth Director, Dan Blythe. Dan works alongside young people and youth leaders globally to inspire, innovate and support the mission of Alpha to bring the gospel to young people around the world. In this conversation, Dan shares his own journey into faith at a young age, the values and priorities of the ‘now’ generation and his own tips for fighting fear, dismantling pride and living out the ‘new thing’ that God has for your life.
• LC25 Bonus Series: Awakening in the Rising Generation - Seizing a Moment of Spiritual Openness 15.07.2025 1j 7mnt

  In this next bonus episode from Leadership Conference 2025, we feature a seminar presented by those currently stewarding moves of God among young leaders in various global contexts. With a surprising and significant openness to faith among the rising generations in many places around the world, how can we – as emerging and established leaders – seize the moment, prepare for awakening, and respond to what God is doing?