In Episode 5 of Blessed & Stress: Religion and Politics Across the Pond, Katie Gaddini and Sheyi Martins-Allen explore the appointment of Sarah Mullally as the first female Archbishop of Canterbury, and what her leadership means for the future of the Church of England.

As she steps into one of the most influential roles in global Christianity, we unpack the challenges she faces, including growing religious conservatism in the UK and the rise of Reform-aligned Christian movements, along with debates over LGBTQ+ inclusion within the Church.

We also examine the shifting political landscape, including the evolving faith narrative of Kemi Badenoch, and the cultural fallout from Donald Trump’s viral “AI Jesus” post.

This week on Blessed and Stressed: Religion & Politics Across the Pond, we dive into the fractures emerging in the MAGA movement, driven by recent events in Iran and Gaza. We explore why some supporters are losing faith in Trump, highlight the very public spats shaking the right, and examine how the State of Israel is viewed differently in the UK compared to the U.S. Tune in for a deep look at politics, faith, and international perspectives that are reshaping allegiances on both sides of the Atlantic.

This week on Blessed & Stressed: Religion & Politics Across the Pond, Dr. Katie Gaddini and Sheyi Martins-Allen dive into the recent blowout between Allie Beth Stuckey and Hillary Clinton, exploring reveals how the Left and the Right are claiming Christianity for their politics. They break down Allie’s perspectives on IVF, her role as a “new type” of pastor, and the tensions of advocating traditional gender roles while living differently.

From the hypocrisy of anti-feminist feminists to the gendered loopholes of social media, Katie and Sheyi-Martins unpack the rise of the Christian social media pastor and why even Taylor Swift has become a point of controversy in these circles.

This week on Blessed & Stressed: Religion & Politics Across the Pond, Dr. Katie Gaddini and Sheyi Martins-Allen tackle one of the most polarizing figures in modern American Christianity: Carl Lentz.

Following the release of his new book, Katie and Sheyi weigh in on the "celebrity pastor" phenomenon and the complex questions surrounding his public return.

The duo also compare the high-production, personality-driven megachurches of the US with their UK counterparts.

In the debut episode of Blessed & Stressed: Religion & Politics Across the Pond, hosts Dr. Katie Gaddini and Sheyi Martins-Allen dive straight into the growing question: Is there a Christian Right in the United Kingdom?

Drawing on Katie’s research and Sheyi’s sharp cultural observations, they unpack the differences between religious and political life in the US and the UK. The conversation explores how Christianity operates within each society, why American-style culture wars don’t always translate across the Atlantic, and what “religious influence” really looks like in both contexts.

Along the way, they also reflect on the cultural spectacle of the Super Bowl, including the Bad Bunny performance and the varied reactions it sparked.