S2 E5: Faith, generosity and emotional wholeness with Jo Hargreaves, The Faith-Filled Therapist
Active Generosity Podcast
In this episode, Ruth Jackson is joined by Jo Hargreaves, also known as the Faith‑Filled Therapist. Jo is a psychotherapist, pastor, writer, speaker and podcast host, whose work integrates theology and therapy, submitting neuroscience to the authority of Scripture. Jo reflects on her journey of faith, emotional healing and generosity, shaped by growing up with financial insecurity, encountering Jesus as a young adult and discovering how God has wired our brains for connection, wholeness and generosity. She shares openly about...
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S2 E4: Equality, faith and generosity with Fola Komolafe MBE, CEO of World Vision UK
Active Generosity Podcast
In this episode, Ruth Jackson is joined by Fola Komolafe MBE, CEO of World Vision UK, the UK branch of the world’s largest international children’s charity. Fola reflects on her journey of faith, leadership and generosity, shaped by growing up in Nigeria, where she saw poverty first-hand, and witnessing generosity modelled by her family and church. Fola shares openly about leading World Vision UK during a time of global crisis - including the world's worst humanitarian crisis in Sudan - aid cuts and economic uncertainty and how...
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Episode 7: Ben Nelson, business founder and sport specialist
Active Generosity Podcast
Welcome to episode 7, the final week of the 40acts Generosity Challenge podcast! Today, Ruth is joined by 40acts pro Ben Nelson. Ben runs a manufacturing business creating brands for businesses and influencers and is also a director of hockey at a local school. With passions for Jesus, generosity and business, Ben reflects on what it looks like to live a life of everyday generosity - not just during Lent, but all year round. As the 40acts journey draws to a close, Ben shares highlights and challenges from this year’s campaign, how generosity has become...
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Episode 6: Tim Gallagher, online fitness coach and podcaster
Active Generosity Podcast
Welcome to episode 6 of the 40acts Generosity Challenge podcast! Today, Ruth is joined by Tim Gallagher, online fitness coach, founder of ‘Powered By Purpose’ and host of the ‘Morning Coffee with Tim’ podcast. Tim shares how his faith has become a more intentional part of his online presence and how 40acts arrived at exactly the right moment in his discipleship journey. From prayer videos mid‑run to simple acts of kindness, Tim reflects on how God has been prompting him to be more generous and more open about his...
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Episode 5: Deborah B, faith and lifestyle content creator
Active Generosity Podcast
Welcome to episode 5 of the 40acts Generosity Challenge podcast! In this conversation, Ruth is joined by Deborah B, a London-based faith and lifestyle content creator who uses her online platforms, including her ‘Faith Talks’ podcast, to mentor and encourage women in their walk with Jesus. Deborah shares her honest journey of faith, including walking away from God, hitting rock bottom and experiencing restoration through God’s mercy. She reflects on how taking part in 40acts has challenged her understanding of generosity — particularly learning to be generous not...
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Episode 4: John Reynolds, author and content creator
Active Generosity Podcast
Welcome to Episode 4 of the 40acts Generosity Challenge Podcast! In this episode, Ruth is joined by John Reynolds, content creator, speaker, author and former youth pastor, best known for his much-loved family comedy and storytelling across social media. Together with his wife Jade, John shares honest, humorous reflections on family life, disability, faith and generosity. John talks openly about taking part in 40acts as a family, how the daily prompts have helped him be more intentional and why encouragement has become one of his favourite and...
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S2 E3: Generosity, partnership and mission with Stephen Read
Active Generosity Podcast
In this month’s episode, we’re joined by Stephen Read, who has served with Ambassadors Football for nearly 20 years. Stephen works with local churches in the UK and internationally, using football as a powerful way to build relationships, share faith and disciple new believers. Stephen reflects on his own faith journey, from growing up in church to walking away as a teenager, and eventually returning to faith through community, mission and football. He also shares honestly about his experience of raising personal support, how his perspective on generosity...
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Episode 3: Emma Francis, author and podcaster
Active Generosity Podcast
Welcome to Episode 3 of the 40acts Generosity Challenge Podcast! This special podcast series explores what it means to live generously this Lent, using our time, talents and treasure to respond to the 40acts challenges. In this episode, Ruth is joined by Emma Francis — author, podcaster, trainee life coach and founder of ‘Girl Got Faith’ and ‘Kobe House’. Emma reflects on her 40acts journey with her young family and offers practical,...
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Episode 2: Rev Pat Allerton aka ‘The Portable Priest’
Active Generosity Podcast
Welcome to Episode 2 of the 40 Acts Generosity Challenge Podcast! This special podcast series explores what it means to live generously this Lent, using our time, talents and treasure to respond to the 40acts challenges. In this episode, Ruth is joined by the Reverend Pat Allerton, vicar of St Peter’s Notting Hill, otherwise known as ‘The Portable Priest’! Pat shares the remarkable story behind his unexpected nickname, reflects on generosity as a spiritual discipline and encourages us to...
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Episode 1: Swarzy Shire, BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra host
Active Generosity Podcast
Welcome to Episode 1 of the 40 Acts Generosity Challenge podcast! This weekly Lent podcast series from Stewardship explores what it means to live generously -through stories, reflections and practical encouragement from our 40 Acts community. In this opening episode, Ruth Jackson is joined by BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra host, speaker and cultural influencer Swarzy Shire, who kicks off the series with warmth, honesty and humour. She shares her thoughts on our upside-down approach to Lent, her experiences...
info_outlineIn this month’s episode, we hear from Pauline Wilson, Team Leader for the Stewardship and Finance Department at the Church of Scotland. With 25 years’ experience in charity governance and deep personal roots in Christian stewardship, Pauline brings warmth, wisdom and a compelling vision for a joy filled approach to generosity.
Pauline explores the heart behind Christian giving, how churches can cultivate a culture of generosity and the story behind the book ‘Living Generously: A Whole-Life Response to God’s Love’, which is cowritten by Pauline and her team.
This episode explores:
- why and how generosity – not finance – drives Pauline’s work with her team
- what it means to be a wise steward
- common misconceptions about giving
- the strong relationship between trust and generosity, with reference to Stewardship’s Generosity Report 2026
Enter our giveaway!
We have five copies of ‘Living Generously: A Whole-Life Response to God’s Love’ to give away. To enter, simply subscribe to our podcast email by completing our competition form. Already subscribed? You're still welcome to enter - simply complete the form and we promise you won't receive our podcast emails twice!
“We’re called to reflect God’s generous nature in our lives so it’s front and centre of what it means to be a follower of Jesus. And I guess when I reflect back with that generosity lens, I see God’s generosity expressed in a very direct way through the Church, through family, through the people that have been part of my faith journey, just part of my life.”
Pauline’s favourite Bible verses on generosity:
“Because of the Lord’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail.
They are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.” Lamentations 3:22–23 (NIV)
Pauline comments, “These verses always bring me back to God’s generous nature and remind me that God’s love is unshakable and never-ending, that every day I can wake up with the assurance of God’s presence.”
See our note on Bible usage: https://www.stewardship.org.uk/bible-usage
How you can pray for Pauline
- for continued dependency on God’s faithfulness in her own life
- for congregations to become communities marked by generosity and sustainable mission
- for a deepening understanding of stewardship across denominations
Related links:
Church of Scotland’s Stewardship and Finance Department: https://www.churchofscotland.org.uk/about-us/departments/stewardship
Further information about ‘Living Generously’: Living Generously A whole-life response to God’s love by Fiona Penny, Darren Philip, Katherine Southern, Pauline Wilson - Paperback / softback - 9781800830493
Subscribe to this podcast: https://www.stewardship.org.uk/subscribe#Podcast
Be the first to receive each month's podcast. You’ll hear from our donors, partners and colleagues about their journey of generosity, exploring why and how they give, the joys and challenges they’ve experienced along the way and what a difference generosity makes to their lives.
Sign up to 40acts, our generosity challenge for Lent: https://www.stewardship.org.uk/40acts
This Lent, Stewardship will guide you through 40 days of reflections and challenges, created with Christian partners and voices from across the Church. Each day offers a simple opportunity to live out generosity in everyday life.
New for this year: you can follow and track your 40acts journey in the Stewardship Giving App, helping you stay engaged and see how your generosity grows.
Download the Stewardship Giving App: https://www.stewardship.org.uk/giving-account
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Podcast presenter: Ruth Jackson Podcast producer: Vimbai Chigwangwa
Episode website: https://www.stewardship.org.uk/podcast/