167. Faith, Depression, and Finding Calm in the Chaos (Professor Mark Williams)

• Podcast

• 22 December 2025

• Posted by Alastair Campbell

• 1

From Parliament to Prison, how can people find calm in chaotic environments? How does one cope with grief during the festive period? What are some successful ways to combat depression?

Rory and Alastair are joined by clinical psychologist and ordained Minister, Mark Williams, to answer all these questions and more.

Please note, this podcast episode contains some discussion of suicidal ideation. Please take care whilst listening.

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1 minute(s) read

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One response to “167. Faith, Depression, and Finding Calm in the Chaos (Professor Mark Williams)”

1. Two passages which, since I first read them, have served as my guide to conduct towards others and towards life.
   “L’oenothère pyramidale, haute de sept à huit pieds, à feuilles oblongues dentelés d’un vert noir, a d’autres moeurs et une autre destinée: sa fleur jaune commence à s’entr’ouvrir le soir, dans l’espace de temps que Vénus met à descendre sous l’horizon; elle continue de s’épanouir aux rayons des étoiles; l’aurore la trouve dans tout son éclat; vers la moitié du matin elle se fane; elle tombe à midi. Elle ne vit que quelques heures; mais elle dépêche ces heures sous un ciel serein, entre les souffles de Vénus et de l’aurore; qu’importe alors la brièveté de la vie?”

   “Notre existence est d’une telle fuite, que si nous n’ecrivons pas le soir l’événement du matin, le travail nous encombre et nous n’avons plus le temps de le mettre à jour. Cela ne nous empêche pas de gaspiller nos années, de jeter au vent ces heures qui sont pour l’homme les semences de l’éternité.“

   François-René de Chateaubriand: Mémoires d’Outre-Tombe, 1821

   Reply