Beer, balance, and thanking the universe

New Seen & Unseen episode.

Natalie Garrett

Natalie produces and narrates The Seen & Unseen Aloud podcast. She's an Anglican minister and a trained actor.

A painted sign on a road reads 'THANK YOU'

Caleb Chen on Unsplash.

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In this week's bumper episode, we hear Callum Elwood's exhortation to Sabbath - as opposed to constant hustling or quiet quitting; Jonathan Torrance takes seriously the marketing suggestion to "drink religiously"; Graham Tomlin suggests that the philosophy often espoused by Love Islanders - thanking the Universe - makes no sense; finally Piotr Ashwin-Siejkowski celebrates the power of the little red cross, trusted by everybody.

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Seen & Unseen Aloud

3 November 2025

1 min read

Eccles, Older Brothers and a King and a Pope

Listen to articles by Derek Hughes, Will Fagan and Graham Tomlin

Natalie Garrett

Natalie produces and narrates The Seen & Unseen Aloud podcast. She's an Anglican minister and a trained actor.

Two brothers look at each other in front of their ironworks.

Sibling rivalry House of Guinness style.

Netflix.

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About this episode

This week, Derek Hughes tells the story of how a tiny congregation in a forgotten town tried something that changed their community for the better; Will Fagan watches Peaky Blinders and House of Guinness, to see how Steven Knight shows being needed—not being perfect—transforms people; and Graham Tomlin unpacks the historical significance and the cultural hope of King Charles and the Pope praying together.

Support this podcast

Since Spring 2023, thousands of people have enjoyed hundreds of podcast episodes and over 1,500 articles.

All for free.

This is made possible through the generosity of our amazing community of supporters.

If you enjoy Seen & Unseen Aloud, would you consider making a gift towards our work?

Do so by joining Behind The Seen. Alongside other benefits, you’ll receive an extra fortnightly email from me sharing my reading and reflections on the ideas that are shaping our times.

Graham Tomlin
Editor-in-Chief

Pledge now