The Sacred cover art

The Sacred

The Sacred

By: Theos
Listen for free

About this listen

The Sacred is a podcast about our deepest values, the stories that shape us and how we can build empathy and understanding between people who are very different. Each episode features a conversation with someone who has a public voice, from academics to journalists, playwrights and politicians. We ask them where they have come from, what they are trying to do and what might help heal our very divided public conversations. The Sacred is hosted by Elizabeth Oldfield, former director of Theos. For more information about the people and ideas behind the podcast, visit https://www.theosthinktank.co.uk/about/who-we-are or follow us on Twitter @theosthinktank, @sacred_podcast and @ESOldfield.Theos Relationships Social Sciences
Episodes
  • Why I’m Still Hooked On This Podcast (After 9 Years!)
    Apr 16 2026

    Nearly a decade into The Sacred, we’re still doing the same thing: having honest and curious conversations with people who see the world differently.


    We're wondering why - like the return of spring - seeking to understand another person at a deep level never seems to get old.


    There's something about learning to truly understand people outside our “tribe” that feels challenging and pleasurable all at once and we're seeing (nine years later!) just how much we need these conversations today.


    As Maff Potts says, “the answer to our problems is each other.”

    So this is a practice, a community and a place to sit with the hard questions and we're really glad you’re doing it with us.

    — The Sacred Team - Elizabeth, Josh, Amari & Joe


    👀 You may notice that our visuals have been levelled up. We’re delighted that our team is growing and The Sacred will be getting a lot more beautiful and creative!

    ✍️ Substack: https://thesacredpodcast.substack.com/?utm_campaign=profile_chips

    💡 Theos Think Tank: www.theosthinktank.co.uk/

    Show More Show Less
    12 mins
  • The Myth of the Neutral Human with Leah Libresco Sargeant
    Apr 1 2026

    The world wasn’t built for everyone. Leah Libresco Sargeant on feminism, care, and the myth of the “neutral” human.

    Join our community of people listening curiously to different perspectives: https://www.youtube.com/@thesacredpodcast/videos

    Leah has spent her life following philosophy to its limits, from Kantian questions of moral truth to reckoning with human vulnerability. Her journey reveals what happens when the world is built for a ‘neutral human’ - and who it leaves behind.

    This conversation explores feminism, gender difference, care, and what it really means to take morality seriously.

    Leah is the writer of Dignity of Dependence, works in of family policy and is the host of Other Feminisms on Substack.

    --

    ✍️ Find us on Substack: https://thesacredpodcast.substack.com/?utm_campaign=profile_chips

    📖 Follow Elizabeth Oldfield: www.elizabetholdfield.com/

    💡 Produced by Theos Think Tank: www.theosthinktank.co.uk/👉Check out Leah's substack: https://www.otherfeminisms.com/

    Show More Show Less
    1 hr and 11 mins
  • Are You Living a Life You Didn’t Choose? With Dr Rangan Chatterjee
    Mar 18 2026
    What actually shapes the life you’re living - your own choices, or the ones you inherited?In this episode of The Sacred, we are with Dr Rangan Chatterjee exploring the moments that force our values to the surface - births, deaths and major life events - and how they can reset the direction of our lives.An Indian immigrant doctor, his father worked relentlessly to give his family opportunities — but it also came at a cost and contributed to the illness that ended his career and eventually his life. This left Dr Rangan with the question 'Dad, was it worth it?"This conversation opens up topics that many of us choose to avoid:• Workaholism and the drive for more• What it really means to define “success” for yourself • What it takes to consciously choose what we carry forward from our parentsDr Rangan Chatterjee is a former GP, bestselling author and one of the UK’s most recognisable voices on a holistic approach to health.--🎙️Listen to The Sacred: linktr.ee/sacredpodcast\ 📖 Follow Elizabeth Oldfield: www.elizabetholdfield.com/ 💡Produced by Theos Think Tank: www.theosthinktank.co.uk/👉 Check out Dr Rangan's podcast, Feel Better Live More: https://drchatterjee.com/podcast-epis...Chapters:00:00 Intro00:50 What is Sacred to You? Dr. Rangan Chatterjee answers1:31 Staying connected to family roots2:09 Career sacrifices and setting boundaries5:14 Being non-judgmental around boundaries6:23 Understanding empathy from a most-wanted criminal 9:11 Everyone's story makes sense12:06 Indian upbringing vs western culture at school13:41 Integrating eastern values into modern life15:35 Teaching respect and kindness to children17:29 Father's work ethic and health impact19:41 "Was it worth it?"22:29 Recognising overworking and knowing what is enough24:51 Surprising personal interests and finding joy27:30 Spiritual awakening, introspection and personal growth29:19 Whose life are you leading?33:39 Are you religious?36:23 Responding to negative comments with kindness39:56 Meaningful living and the importance of relationships, humour, and beliefKeywords:values, grief and growth, redefining success, what is enough, living with intention, family and sacrifice, work life balance, burnout and overwork, meaning of life, personal growth, self reflection, life purpose, inner work, emotional wellbeing, mental health, lifestyle medicine, holistic health, parenting and values, legacy and inheritance, immigrant family story, identity and belonging, cultural identity, compassion and empathy, curiosity over judgment, relationships and connection, modern life stress, slowing down, presence and mindfulness, gratitude practice, life transitions, dealing with loss, grief and clarity, success vs happiness, redefining ambition, work ethic rethink, conscious living, self awareness, asking better questions, deep conversations, philosophy of life, spirituality and meaning, living authentically, personal values, making better choices, life design, happiness and contentment, avoiding burnout, healing generational patterns, carrying forward what matters
    Show More Show Less
    1 hr
No reviews yet