Culture

Our curated articles offering new takes on the big themes and questions in our culture. Plus reviews of books, film, media and experiences. Culture is one of four key themes covered by Seen & Unseen.

Podcast
  1. Culture
  2. Education
A head teacher sits at her desk, holding her hands in a gesture in front of her.
A stubborn hopefulness drives Katharine Birbalsingh. Belle Tindall reflects on her conversation with the controversial headteacher for the Re-Enchanting podcast.
5min read
Review
  1. Culture
  2. Film & TV
A mother and child, wearing 70s clothing, look to the left.
Looking beyond the bravado-fuelled adolescent friendships, Lauren Windle reviews Are You There God? It’s Me, Margaret. She finds vulnerability, audacity and intention.
3min read
Podcast
  1. Culture
  2. S&U interviews
A sitting man speaks into a microphone will gesturing with one hand
Re-enchanting... Nature. Belle TIndall reflects on an infectious conversation with Paul Kingsnorth, the celebrated author, poet and environmentalist. Finding him a particularly enjoyable guide through the daunting landscapes of belief, environmentalism and AI.
4min read
Review
  1. Culture
  2. Royalty
A regency queen and king stand beside each other looking pensive.
Is the backstory better than the original? Bex Chapman reviews Queen Charlotte, Netflix’s blockbuster, and finds a determined love story with a lesson.
5min read
Podcast
  1. Culture
  2. S&U interviews
A woman talks while tilting her head to one side.
Re-Enchanting the human story. Belle Tindall reflects on the nature of her conversation with Pulitzer Prize winning author Marilynne Robinson for Seen and Unseen’s ‘Re-Enchanting’ podcast.
5min read
Explainer
  1. Biology
  2. Culture
A wall tile shows a 1940s woman tend a stove below a washing line.
Once discounted insights are now found important and have ethical consequences. Andrew Davison concludes his series on biology’s current developments.
8min read
Review
  1. Culture
  2. Film & TV
Five people in red jump suits help each other stand together.
We are not isolated bodies who happen to be coexisting in the coldness of space. Krish Kandiah reviews Guardians of the Galaxy Volume 3.
4min read
Review
  1. Culture
  2. Film & TV
A man sits on the top of a building and looks out over the view of an Indian city as the sun sets.
India’s film industry tackles the complexities of life, morality, harmony and violence, as experienced by its Christian community. Indo-Christian Culture’s Sha reviews.
10min read
Podcast
  1. Books
  2. Culture
An author sits and listens.
What is the nature of a human soul? Marilynne Robinson has sought to re-enchant the divine mystery of everyday human life in her novels. Belle and Justin chat to Marilynne about how her literature.
1min read
Podcast
  1. Culture
  2. S&U interviews
A man in conversation laughs and throws his head back
Re-Enchanting… Public Life. Belle Tindall reflects on what is (perhaps surprisingly) her favourite conversation so far.
2min read
Explainer
  1. Culture
  2. Freedom
A copy of the Statue of Liberty, holding a stick of bread, stands outside a shop window displaying an 'Open 24 Hours' signs.
This month, it’s 150 years since philosopher JS Mill died. His definition of freedom remains hugely influential. But is it still the right one for healthy relationships and contentment amid the isolation of modern life?
6min read
Podcast
  1. Culture
  2. Feminism
A woman smiles as she speaks into a microphone. In the background is Big Ben.
Re-enchanting sex. Yes, you read that right. Belle Tindall reflects on her somewhat spicy conversation with Louise Perry for the Re-Enchanting podcast.
4min read