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The Edinburgh International Festival recently launched their 2025 programme. One of the most striking announcements is the festival’s opening concert—an eight-hour performance of the late John Tavener’s choral cycle, The Veil of the Temple. Cathy is joined by a violinist and close friend of the composer to explore the piece’s profound religious themes spanning centuries.

Last Thursday marked the Spring Equinox. We’ll hear why it has a special significance for both members of the Pagan and Baha’i faiths here in Scotland from Kitty Macintyre, a Pagan chaplain at the University of St Andrews and Caleb Gilleland, a member of the Baha’i faith and PhD student at the University of Edinburgh.

This Week's Spiritual Life guest is Guardian journalist and author Lucy Mangan. She reflects on growing up in the Catholic faith, her career, and what reading books has meant for her — the central theme of her new book, Bookish: How Reading Shapes Our Lives.

Cathy is joined by Philip Blackledge, the Rector of Holy Trinity church in Melrose, Gina Menzies, who is an ethicist and theologian, and the writer and activist, Briana Pegado. They discuss some of the week’s topical news from an ethical and religious perspective.

On the agenda, the Netflix drama Adolescence. The series has sparked debate around toxic masculinity and whether enough is being done to protect children from harmful content online. The panel ask what can be done to support young boys against violent misogynistic ideology.

After President Trump and Putin’s discussion on a ceasefire in Ukraine, the guests explore the challenges of working through a compromise.

This Sunday marks the 5th anniversary of the COVID lockdown. The panel look at the lasting impacts it has had on society.