Episode 1: Swarzy Shire, BBC Radio 1 and 1Xtra host
Release Date: 02/17/2026
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_outlineWelcome 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 in creating content for it and how she’s buckling up for the challenge ahead.
“Generosity grows when we stop striving for perfection and start running towards Jesus - because when we remember how much we’ve been given, giving becomes a joy, not a task.”
Swarzy’s favourite verse for Lent
‘I lift up my eyes to the mountains – where does my help come from? My help comes from the Lord, the Maker of heaven and earth’. Psalms 121:1-2 (NIV).
A fresh insight: the '121' reminder of God’s personal help and presence.
See our note on Bible usage: https://www.stewardship.org.uk/bible-usage
How you can pray for Swarzy:
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to run towards Jesus rather than drift back to old patterns
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boldness to live out faith in her workplace and platform
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wisdom in balancing public influence with private discipleship
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for her family, who do not yet share her faith
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for continued fruitfulness through The Last Supper Club, which Swarzy set up and hosts in her home as a way of sharing the love of Jesus
Related links:
Follow Swarzy on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/swarzyshire/ and check out The Last Supper Club collaboration with Stewardship.
Final thoughts:
Thank you for joining us for the first episode of this special Lent series. New episodes will drop weekly throughout 40 Acts - packed with stories, encouragement and practical ways to live generously.
If the conversation inspired you:
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subscribe by signing up to 40acts, our generosity challenge for Lent: https://www.stewardship.org.uk/40acts
You’ll receive a daily email for the 40 days of Lent, each one with a reflection, challenge and prayer prompt. On Wednesdays, the email will also include a link to the next 40acts podcast episode.
You can also follow and track your 40acts journey in the Stewardship Giving App for the first time this year, helping you stay engaged and see how your generosity grows.
Please also remember to:
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leave a review on your favourite podcast platform
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share the podcast with someone starting their Lent journey
Follow us on social media:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/stewardship/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/stewardshipuk/
Podcast presenter: Ruth Jackson Podcast producer: Esther Simmons
Episode website: https://www.stewardship.org.uk/40acts/generosity-challenge-podcast