Cross Culture – Details, episodes & analysis

Is Elvis really dead? Is Avril Lavigne actually Avril Lavigne? Did aliens build the pyramids? Did the Roman Empire truly exist? And if it didn’t, what the heck are men thinking about every day? Is Lauren actually Belle, and is Belle actually Lauren?

WHO’S TO SAY?!

Join us as we dive into the wild and wacky world of conspiracy theories. Honestly, it’s rabbit holes galore over here. 

Is Elvis Pastor Joyce?: https://youtu.be/Mi3CTPwIpSQ?si=vsFBpW2WK-prM4pg

Is Avril Lavigne really Avril Lavigne?: Avril Lavigne Death And Lookalike Conspiracy Theory Explained

Did Micheal Jackson secretly direct his own televised tribute concert?:  https://www.reddit.com/r/MichaelJackson/comments/bca9ft/is_michael_jackson_dead_think_twice_some_things/?rdt=43381

Disclaimer: While this is a Christian podcast, we discuss mainstream and secular content which may include bad language, sexual content and violence, please use your own discretion when deciding what to engage with.

OK, we had to go there - unless you’ve been living under a blissful rock, you’ll know that this week has been a pretty historic one. We share our thoughts on the outcome of the American election - what it tells us about who we choose to believe in, and why.  

And then we promptly make ourselves feel better by talking about Christmas Adjacent content. It’s a thing, trust us. There’s also talk of sobbing on stages as we ask ourselves: how vulnerable is too vulnerable? 

If this episode had a catchphrase, it would almost certainly be: ‘laugh, cry and be merry (adjacent)’ 

Links: 

For Richard Gadd’s GQ piece: https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/article/richard-gadd-interview-2024

For Good Housekeeping’s rundown of the best mince pies (you’re welcome): Best mince pies for Christmas 2024 UK, tried and tested

For Francis Collins’ book: The Road to Wisdom by Francis S. Collins | Waterstones

For information on Jubilee+: Jubilee+

Disclaimer: While this is a Christian podcast, we discuss mainstream and secular content which may include bad language, sexual content and violence, please use your own discretion when deciding what to engage with.

SHOW NOTES

To watch the Australian Office or not to watch the Australian Office? To read Sally Rooney or not to read Sally Rooney? These are just a couple of the questions we tackle on this week’s Cross Culture. Belle and Lauren also talk about the art and wonder of ‘Mothering’ plus actress, Saoirse Ronan’s, viral moment. Oh, and there’s a spot of chat about AI partners and sex parties at the end. 

We really pulled in a LOT of different directions this week. It’s a good’un. 

And listen, we’re not ignoring the news to beat all other news - we’ll be talking all about the brand-spanking-not-so-new President of the USA next week.

Links:

For the Australian Office: https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/video/detail/amzn1.dv.gti.14c93ef2-0501-4cca-af55-9226a5c3648e?autoplay=0&ref_=atv_cf_strg_wb

For the Mothers: https://www.nytimes.com/2023/05/13/style/mother-internet-slang-lgbtq.html

https://www.thecut.com/article/martha-stewart-secret-to-staying-young-documentary.html

https://www.goodhousekeeping.com/uk/lifestyle/a62661477/dolly-parton-december-cover/

https://graziadaily.co.uk/celebrity/news/christmas-with-elizabeth-hurley/

https://graziadaily.co.uk/celebrity/news/philippine-leroy-beaulieu-sylvie-emily-in-paris/

For Sally Rooney’s new novel: Intermezzo by Sally Rooney | Waterstones

Disclaimer: While this is a Christian podcast, we discuss mainstream and secular content which may include bad language, sexual content and violence, please use your own discretion when deciding what to engage with.

Normal service is resumed this week as Lauren and Belle dive into the New York Times’ column and podcast Modern Love. They discuss a selection of top tier books from Jade and John Reynolds, Frank C Laubach and Ferne Cotton. There’s a quick stop off with Belle at Chicken Shop dates before Lauren dips her toe into Netflix’s current true crime offering. Oh, and there’s a lot of Andrew Garfield. You’re welcome.

Links:

• NYTs’ Modern Love 
  • The column: https://www.nytimes.com/column/modern-love
  • Amazon show: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Modern-Love/dp/B0875X93SN/ref=sr_1_1
  • The podcast: https://open.spotify.com/show/03Er7mSPq9IEewOgbPD3vO
• Letters by a Modern Mystic by Frank C. Laubach: https://www.waterstones.com/book/letters-by-a-modern-mystic/frank-c-laubach/9780281066124
• Bigger Than Us by Fearne Cotton: https://www.waterstones.com/book/bigger-than-us/fearne-cotton/9781529108675
• Jade and John’s Able To Laugh: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Able-Laugh-struggle-much-loved-interabled/dp/0281089817
• Andrew Garfield’s Chicken Shop Date: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eFS5vxYlfY8
• Woman of the hour:
  • Show: https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/81728818
  • Podcast: https://wondery.com/shows/the-dating-game-killer/
• Sweet Bobby:
  • Show: https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/81591286
  • Podcast: https://www.tortoisemedia.com/listen/sweet-bobby/

Disclaimer: While this is a Christian podcast, we discuss mainstream and secular content which may include bad language, sexual content and violence, please use your own discretion when deciding what to engage with.

Hey friends. Us again. We’re so glad you’re here. This episode is a little different - slightly lighter on the laughs, and heavier on the topics raised. We - your pals, Belle and Lauren - discuss the sad news about Liam Payne and break open our thoughts on Russell Brand’s pretty dramatic turn to Christianity. 

There’s a lot in there. And so, here’s what we need you to know - this episode contains talk of addiction, suicide, and sexual assault. If that feels a little too heavy for you, please do give this episode a miss. We’ll be back next week with our usual dose of tomfoolery. 

Much love, 

Windle and Tindall 

Links:

Rachel Newham’s ‘And Yet’: And Yet: Finding Joy in Lament: Amazon.co.uk: Newham, Rachael: 9780281085705: Books

Patrick Regan’s ‘Honesty Over Silence: Honesty Over Silence: It's OK Not To Be OK: Amazon.co.uk: Regan, Patrick: 9780281089291: Books

Lauren’s ‘Notes On Feminism’:Notes on Feminism: Being a woman in a Church led by men: Amazon.co.uk: Windle, Lauren: 9780281087679: Books

Disclaimer: While this is a Christian podcast, we discuss mainstream and secular content which may include bad language, sexual content and violence, please use your own discretion when deciding what to engage with.

WE’RE BACK. Episode two, baby! And this week it’s battle of the books - Lauren takes on Boris Johnson’s memoir, while Belle chooses Miranda Hart’s latest offering. And, my oh my, do they spark off some interesting conversations. In other news, it’s Gilmore Girls season - time for Belle to officially welcome Lauren into the ever-cosy, always quaint, Gilmore-gang. Plus, Philip Schofied, clingfilm, and Lauren’s Lorraine Kelly impression are all on offer in this week’s episode. 

It’s a corker. 

Links: Boris Johnson’s ‘Unleashed’: https://www.waterstones.com/book/unleashed/boris-johnson/9780008618209

Miranda Hart’s ‘I Haven’t Been Entirely Honest With You’: I Haven’t Been Entirely Honest with You by Miranda Hart | Waterstones

Netflix’s ‘Nobody Wants This’: https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/81591296

Gilmore Girls: https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/70155618

Belle’s ‘Cosy Season’ article: Cosy season: creating meaning amid the mundane | Seen & Unseen (seenandunseen.com)

Channel Five’s ‘Phillip Schofield: Castaway’: My5 - Phillip Schofield Cast Away - Season 1 - Episode 1 / Episode 1 (channel5.com)

And King Charles shrieking at clingfilm, for good measure: https://www.mirror.co.uk/news/royals/king-charles-didnt-realise-what-33832141

Disclaimer: While this is a Christian podcast, we discuss mainstream and secular content which may include bad language, sexual content and violence, please use your own discretion when deciding what to engage with.

What a time to be alive. It’s here, the pilot episode of Cross Culture with us, your trusty hosts - Lauren Windle and Belle Tindall. Welcome, pals. In this, our very first episode, we explore the beauty and absurdity of Married At First Sight, gush over how much we love Francis Spufford, learn about the sheer weirdness of Julian of Norwich, and ponder why cheesy faith-based films make so much darn money. 

Links

Channel 4’s Married At First Sight: https://www.channel4.com/programmes/married-at-first-sight-uk/on-demand/73974-001

Franics Spufford’s Unapologetic: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Unapologetic-everything-Christianity-surprising-emotional/dp/0571225225

Spufford on Re-enchanting: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=brLcJQU2Q28 

Beth O’Leary’s ‘The Wake-Up Call: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Wake-Up-Call-enemies-lovers-million-copy/dp/1529418267/ref=sr_1_1

Elizabeth Neep's books: https://www.amazon.co.uk/stores/Elizabeth-Neep/author/B0859KXK16 

Julian of Norwich’s ‘Revelations of Divine Love’: https://www.gutenberg.org/files/52958/52958-h/52958-h.htm

John Harris at The Guardian: https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/sep/15/meaning-modern-life-nick-cave-chaotic-world

Stat-Significant Sub-Stack: https://www.statsignificant.com/p/the-rise-of-faith-based-films-a-statistical 

Disclaimer: While this is a Christian podast, we discuss mainstream and secular content which may include bad language, sexual content and violence, please use your own discretion when deciding what to engage with.

I know what you’re thinking: where oh where can I find a conversation that stretches from Rowan Williams’ theology to Charlie XCX’s ‘brat summer’?

Well, thank the Heavens - you’re in the right place. Welcome, dear friend, to episode 9 of Cross Culture. 

It’s another wonderfully-wide reaching episode where we chat about our friends, Rowan and Charlie, and also about manifesting, how it feels when God breaks your heart for something/someone, sober-curious-ness, and what we’re willing to watch with our parents. 

Links: 

For Rowan’s review of ‘We Who Wrestle With God’: https://www.theguardian.com/books/2024/nov/20/we-who-wrestle-with-god-by-jordan-b-peterson-review-a-culture-warrior-out-of-his-depth

Esquire’s ‘The Invisible Man’: https://www.esquire.com/news-politics/a62875397/homelessness-in-america/?src=longreads

Cambridge and Collins’ words of the year: Cambridge Dictionary reveals Word of the Year 2024 - BBC News

• Collins - The Collins Word of the Year 2024 is…

Millis Gooch’s ‘Booze-Less’: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Booze-Less-Rethinking-Drinking-Curious_A/dp/1797231227/ref=asc_df_1797231227 

Netflix’s ‘Man on the Inside’: https://www.netflix.com/gb/title/81677257

Disclaimer: While this is a Christian podcast, we discuss mainstream and secular content which may include bad language, sexual content and violence, please use your own discretion when deciding what to engage with.

It’s the final episode of Cross Culture season 2 - I know, I know. We’re wiping the tears away, too. 

In this, our finale, we speak about Lauren’s ‘agonisingly beautiful’ milestone, the HUMONGOUS reaction to Katy Perry’s eleven minutes in space, and whether good christian fiction exists. We’ve left you with a good’un. 

Until we meet again, dear friends. 

Windle and Tindall x

Disclaimer: While this is a Christian podcast, we discuss mainstream and secular content which may include bad language, sexual content and violence, please use your own discretion when deciding what to engage with.

Scientists have just discovered ‘the most bitter substance known to mankind’ And no, it’s not Belle’s feelings toward Netflix’s Pride and Prejudice remake. Close call, though. 

In this, our penultimate episode of season two of Cross Culture, we walk our way through the week’s cultural happenings: Katy Perry popping to space, the return of Black Mirror, and what we’ll be consuming (and not consuming) this Easter weekend. 

Until next week, friends. 

Windle and Tindall x

Disclaimer: While this is a Christian podcast, we discuss mainstream and secular content which may include bad language, sexual content and violence, please use your own discretion when deciding what to engage with.