Introducing 'Uncommon Ground'

About this episode

Justin Brierley hosts conversations exploring faith, atheism, and the meaning of life with various guests.

Justin Brierley is back in the moderator's chair hosting conversations between Christians, atheists, skeptics and seekers in this new podcast and video show. 'Uncommon Ground' features leading figures from the world of atheism, psychology, science, culture, literature and theology. Recorded in the beautiful setting of Yarnton Manor, Oxford, they’ll be debating purpose in the universe, meaning in life, faith, atheism and the deepest questions of existence. But this isn't just another debate-fest. 'Uncommon Ground' asks each guest to spell out the other's position. Connecting before correcting. Disagreeing well by understanding each other better. Season 1 will feature:- Richard, Dawkins & Rowan Williams - on God & science.- Alex O Connor & Glen Scrivener - on whether Christianity gave us our morality.- Anil Seth & Iain McGilchrist - on consciousness and the brain.- Jonathan Pageau & Joe Folley - on whether art and beauty points to God. - Paul Davies & Emily Qureshi-Hurst - on whether the universe has a purpose. - Elizabeth Oldfield & James Marriott - on whether there’s purpose in life.- Stephen Meyer & Phil Halper - big bang cosmology and the fine tuning of the universe. - Philip…

People in this episode

Host: Justin Brierley

Guests: Richard Dawkins, Rowan Williams, Alex O Connor, Glen Scrivener, Anil Seth, Iain McGilchrist, Jonathan Pageau, Joe Folley, Paul Davies, Emily Qureshi-Hurst, Elizabeth Oldfield, James Marriott, Stephen Meyer, Phil Halper, Philip Pullman, Francis Spufford

Topics covered

• debate
• faith
• atheism
• purpose
• meaning of life
• consciousness
• art and beauty

Keywords

• Uncommon Ground
• debate
• Christianity
• atheism
• purpose
• meaning
• consciousness
• art
• science
• theology

Mentioned in this episode

Places: Yarnton Manor, Oxford

More episodes of Uncommon Ground with Justin Brierley

• #9. William Lane Craig & Emily Qureshi-Hurst: Is it Time to Rethink God & Salvation? The A vs B theory and why it matters. · June 4, 2026 · 2h 7m
• #8. Lois McLatchie Miller & Ann Furedi: Is abortion immoral? Pro-life vs pro-choice. · May 19, 2026 · 2h 12m
• #7. Stephen Meyer & Phil Halper: The Big Bang and Fine Tuning. Does the science of the Universe point to God? · May 5, 2026 · 3h 7m
• #6. Elizabeth Oldfield & James Marriott: Is there meaning to life? And is our secular culture rediscovering it? · April 21, 2026 · 1h 56m
• #5. Paul Davies & Emily Qureshi-Hurst: Is there purpose in the Universe? Exploring the weirdness of the cosmic and quantum realm. · April 8, 2026 · 2h 2m
• #4. Iain McGilchrist & Anil Seth: Minds, brains, consciousness and the God question. · March 24, 2026 · 2h 19m