Madeleine Pennington
@mlpennington.bsky.social
Head of Research @theosthinktank.bsky.social (currently on maternity leave) | Author: "Quakers, Christ, and the Enlightenment", "The Christian Quaker"
Reposted by Madeleine Pennington
God is love, and Love is goodness giving itself away. It is a fullness of being that does not want to remain enclosed in itself, but rather to share itself with others, to give itself to them, and to make them happy.
Edith Stein
Edith Stein
May 14, 2025 at 8:09 AM
God is love, and Love is goodness giving itself away. It is a fullness of being that does not want to remain enclosed in itself, but rather to share itself with others, to give itself to them, and to make them happy.
Edith Stein
Edith Stein
Significant that the author credits her 6 years attending Quaker school for an appreciation of silence here. They are under-acknowledged as modes of Quaker outreach:
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
What’s better than a cafe, wilderness retreat or spa? A silent cafe, wilderness retreat or spa | Emma Beddington
Imagine going somewhere and not having to hear all about a stranger’s toxic boyfriend, pitch deck or hernia op, writes Emma Beddington
www.theguardian.com
May 12, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Significant that the author credits her 6 years attending Quaker school for an appreciation of silence here. They are under-acknowledged as modes of Quaker outreach:
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
“But the way we’ve responded to it – the return to our collective ideals that moments like this inspire – gives some meaning to all the pomp and circumstance.”
Is this piece really arguing that the papal conclave was given meaning only by… the meme response? 😑
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Is this piece really arguing that the papal conclave was given meaning only by… the meme response? 😑
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The new pope is the internet’s biggest meme. What does that say about us? | Tayo Bero
Social media has been fun for the first time in years. But the joy of this moment is about more than just jokes
www.theguardian.com
May 12, 2025 at 6:46 PM
“But the way we’ve responded to it – the return to our collective ideals that moments like this inspire – gives some meaning to all the pomp and circumstance.”
Is this piece really arguing that the papal conclave was given meaning only by… the meme response? 😑
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Is this piece really arguing that the papal conclave was given meaning only by… the meme response? 😑
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Glad to see @theguardian.com again drawing attention to the (social, physical, emotional) challenges of infant feeding, which place such a heavy burden on new mothers - as @chinemcdonald.bsky.social and I explore in episode 3 of Motherhood vs the Machine…
Like many mothers, I struggled with breastfeeding. Now we know we’re not ‘failures’ | Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett
Like many mothers, I struggled with breastfeeding. Now we know we’re not ‘failures’ | Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett
A study shows the impact of feeding challenges on maternal mental health. With official help in short supply, it’s time to support each other, says Guardian columnist Rhiannon Lucy Cosslett
www.theguardian.com
April 26, 2025 at 7:34 PM
Glad to see @theguardian.com again drawing attention to the (social, physical, emotional) challenges of infant feeding, which place such a heavy burden on new mothers - as @chinemcdonald.bsky.social and I explore in episode 3 of Motherhood vs the Machine…
Reposted by Madeleine Pennington
Two things can be true at once.
1. Overall levels of religiosity are declining.
2. But religious people are actually *more* religious now.
Look at the top left graph - that's the share of 18-35 years old Christians who attend church weekly.
It's up 7 points since 2008.
1. Overall levels of religiosity are declining.
2. But religious people are actually *more* religious now.
Look at the top left graph - that's the share of 18-35 years old Christians who attend church weekly.
It's up 7 points since 2008.
April 7, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Two things can be true at once.
1. Overall levels of religiosity are declining.
2. But religious people are actually *more* religious now.
Look at the top left graph - that's the share of 18-35 years old Christians who attend church weekly.
It's up 7 points since 2008.
1. Overall levels of religiosity are declining.
2. But religious people are actually *more* religious now.
Look at the top left graph - that's the share of 18-35 years old Christians who attend church weekly.
It's up 7 points since 2008.
Reposted by Madeleine Pennington
Elaine Green reflects on what "synodality" means for Quakers. This may sound boring, but our Local Meeting watched it this morning, and we all agreed it was worth the time. Thank you, Elaine @bsequakers.bsky.social
Elaine starts speaking at 28:15
www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9oQ...
Elaine starts speaking at 28:15
www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9oQ...
CTE Forum 2025 - Session 2 - Reflecting on Synodality
YouTube video by Churches Together in England
www.youtube.com
April 6, 2025 at 3:57 PM
Elaine Green reflects on what "synodality" means for Quakers. This may sound boring, but our Local Meeting watched it this morning, and we all agreed it was worth the time. Thank you, Elaine @bsequakers.bsky.social
Elaine starts speaking at 28:15
www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9oQ...
Elaine starts speaking at 28:15
www.youtube.com/watch?v=A9oQ...
Reposted by Madeleine Pennington
The year is 1650 and the Quakers are being unruly.
The year is 1848 and the Quakers are being unruly.
The year is 2025 and the Quakers are being unruly.
The year is 1848 and the Quakers are being unruly.
The year is 2025 and the Quakers are being unruly.
April 1, 2025 at 11:35 AM
The year is 1650 and the Quakers are being unruly.
The year is 1848 and the Quakers are being unruly.
The year is 2025 and the Quakers are being unruly.
The year is 1848 and the Quakers are being unruly.
The year is 2025 and the Quakers are being unruly.
Reposted by Madeleine Pennington
Reposted by Madeleine Pennington
TW: stillbirths, pregnancy loss, miscarriage and death.
The final episode of #MotherhoodvsTheMachine is out now.
@chinemcdonald.bsky.social and @mlpennington.bsky.social
explore what motherhood teaches us about loss, grief, change and death.
open.spotify.com/episode/698k...
The final episode of #MotherhoodvsTheMachine is out now.
@chinemcdonald.bsky.social and @mlpennington.bsky.social
explore what motherhood teaches us about loss, grief, change and death.
open.spotify.com/episode/698k...
Death: Is grief an inevitable part of motherhood?
Motherhood vs The Machine · Episode
open.spotify.com
April 3, 2025 at 8:43 AM
TW: stillbirths, pregnancy loss, miscarriage and death.
The final episode of #MotherhoodvsTheMachine is out now.
@chinemcdonald.bsky.social and @mlpennington.bsky.social
explore what motherhood teaches us about loss, grief, change and death.
open.spotify.com/episode/698k...
The final episode of #MotherhoodvsTheMachine is out now.
@chinemcdonald.bsky.social and @mlpennington.bsky.social
explore what motherhood teaches us about loss, grief, change and death.
open.spotify.com/episode/698k...
Reposted by Madeleine Pennington
🚨 Outrage as 20 police officers break into Westminster Quaker Meeting House and arrest six. 🚨
This shocking violation of a place of worship is a direct result of crackdowns on protest and dissent - freedom of speech, assembly and democracy are at risk.🕊️
👉 www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...
This shocking violation of a place of worship is a direct result of crackdowns on protest and dissent - freedom of speech, assembly and democracy are at risk.🕊️
👉 www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...
Quakers condemn police raid on Westminster Meeting House
Police broke into a Quaker Meeting House last night (27 March) and arrested six young people holding a meeting over concerns for the climate and Gaza.
www.quaker.org.uk
March 28, 2025 at 4:50 PM
🚨 Outrage as 20 police officers break into Westminster Quaker Meeting House and arrest six. 🚨
This shocking violation of a place of worship is a direct result of crackdowns on protest and dissent - freedom of speech, assembly and democracy are at risk.🕊️
👉 www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...
This shocking violation of a place of worship is a direct result of crackdowns on protest and dissent - freedom of speech, assembly and democracy are at risk.🕊️
👉 www.quaker.org.uk/news-and-eve...
Reposted by Madeleine Pennington
“The kind of biblical worldview Jesus wants you to have is inseparable from the kind of heart Jesus wants you to have.”
—Michael Wear, The Spirit of Our Politics
—Michael Wear, The Spirit of Our Politics
March 22, 2025 at 12:20 PM
“The kind of biblical worldview Jesus wants you to have is inseparable from the kind of heart Jesus wants you to have.”
—Michael Wear, The Spirit of Our Politics
—Michael Wear, The Spirit of Our Politics
Reposted by Madeleine Pennington
People in decision-making / -influencing roles tend to underestimate how many of us are struggling to make ends meet*
1 in 8 of us are skipping meals
1 in 5 are spending our savings
(*availability heuristic: people in their circles tend to be doing OK, & humans overestimate our normality)
1 in 8 of us are skipping meals
1 in 5 are spending our savings
(*availability heuristic: people in their circles tend to be doing OK, & humans overestimate our normality)
Brits continue to say they are cutting back. Dave a builder in Helsby said “if you've got a couple of kids….you're talking like a £100 and that for something to eat, ice cream, drinks, even the pictures - to go there, you need the mortgage for that now”
12% are skipping meals, 9% borrowing more.
12% are skipping meals, 9% borrowing more.
March 23, 2025 at 6:24 PM
People in decision-making / -influencing roles tend to underestimate how many of us are struggling to make ends meet*
1 in 8 of us are skipping meals
1 in 5 are spending our savings
(*availability heuristic: people in their circles tend to be doing OK, & humans overestimate our normality)
1 in 8 of us are skipping meals
1 in 5 are spending our savings
(*availability heuristic: people in their circles tend to be doing OK, & humans overestimate our normality)
Reposted by Madeleine Pennington
No one wants bland cheerleading. But headlines could be a bit more factual ("The government today announced...") with the follow-up doing the analysis.
Instead, the headline is almost always opinion-led ("Fury at...").
So the "story" becomes the anger, rather than the thing that prompted it.
Instead, the headline is almost always opinion-led ("Fury at...").
So the "story" becomes the anger, rather than the thing that prompted it.
March 21, 2025 at 9:45 AM
No one wants bland cheerleading. But headlines could be a bit more factual ("The government today announced...") with the follow-up doing the analysis.
Instead, the headline is almost always opinion-led ("Fury at...").
So the "story" becomes the anger, rather than the thing that prompted it.
Instead, the headline is almost always opinion-led ("Fury at...").
So the "story" becomes the anger, rather than the thing that prompted it.
Feat. my daughter’s podcast debut, at 32 weeks gestation.
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
Episode 2 of #MotherhoodvsTheMachine is out today!
This week, @chinemcdonald.bsky.social and @mlpennington.bsky.social explore the paradoxes of pregnancy and birthing.
Listen here: open.spotify.com/episode/4FM7...
This week, @chinemcdonald.bsky.social and @mlpennington.bsky.social explore the paradoxes of pregnancy and birthing.
Listen here: open.spotify.com/episode/4FM7...
Pregnancy & birthing: Could machines have our babies?
Motherhood vs The Machine · Episode
open.spotify.com
March 20, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Feat. my daughter’s podcast debut, at 32 weeks gestation.
Enjoy!
Enjoy!
Our beautiful home planet, teeming with life ❤️
March 19, 2025 at 4:58 AM
Our beautiful home planet, teeming with life ❤️
Reposted by Madeleine Pennington
Last month I did a little experiment.
I wanted to see how the exact same post would perform on both X (Twitter) and Bluesky.
The results were...interesting...
[Thread]
I wanted to see how the exact same post would perform on both X (Twitter) and Bluesky.
The results were...interesting...
[Thread]
March 16, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Last month I did a little experiment.
I wanted to see how the exact same post would perform on both X (Twitter) and Bluesky.
The results were...interesting...
[Thread]
I wanted to see how the exact same post would perform on both X (Twitter) and Bluesky.
The results were...interesting...
[Thread]
Reposted by Madeleine Pennington
Your timeline cleanse for the day
March 15, 2025 at 10:14 PM
Your timeline cleanse for the day
What is 'work'? What's the relationship between paid employment & mothering? What skills does it demand of us? Why isn't it valued more highly? Where does it cross into love?
So proud of this project, which taught me so much along the way. Do give our new podcast a listen - episode 1 out now. 👇
So proud of this project, which taught me so much along the way. Do give our new podcast a listen - episode 1 out now. 👇
Ep.1 of #MotherhoodvsTheMachine is out now!
This week, @chinemcdonald.bsky.social and @mlpennington.bsky.social explore the theme of work. From juggling motherhood with professional employment to the role of technology in ‘easing the burden’, they investigate a rich and complex story.
This week, @chinemcdonald.bsky.social and @mlpennington.bsky.social explore the theme of work. From juggling motherhood with professional employment to the role of technology in ‘easing the burden’, they investigate a rich and complex story.
March 13, 2025 at 12:21 PM
What is 'work'? What's the relationship between paid employment & mothering? What skills does it demand of us? Why isn't it valued more highly? Where does it cross into love?
So proud of this project, which taught me so much along the way. Do give our new podcast a listen - episode 1 out now. 👇
So proud of this project, which taught me so much along the way. Do give our new podcast a listen - episode 1 out now. 👇
Reposted by Madeleine Pennington
Good lord. A 24% increase in working age 'deaths of despair' (attributed to alcohol, drugs,suicide) comparing pre- and post-pandemic. h/t @cjayanetti.bsky.social ifs.org.uk/news/various...
Various indicators point to a deterioration in population mental health – likely contributing to rising disability benefit caseloads | Institute for Fiscal Studies
Mental health has worsened since the pandemic. This is consistent with rising disability benefit claims for mental health.
ifs.org.uk
March 12, 2025 at 10:14 AM
Good lord. A 24% increase in working age 'deaths of despair' (attributed to alcohol, drugs,suicide) comparing pre- and post-pandemic. h/t @cjayanetti.bsky.social ifs.org.uk/news/various...
Reposted by Madeleine Pennington
New research from
@theosthinktank.bsky.social
ahead of the launch of the Motherhood Vs The Machine podcast next week!
@chinemcdonald.bsky.social
@mlpennington.bsky.social
@theosthinktank.bsky.social
ahead of the launch of the Motherhood Vs The Machine podcast next week!
@chinemcdonald.bsky.social
@mlpennington.bsky.social
Grow a 'baby in a bag' ? 🚼🎒
Most Brits are strongly opposed to use of artificial wombs outside the mother for developing foetuses. Apart from Gen Z, who back it.
Public *does* support concept when mother or baby's life is at risk, however
👇⬇️
www.thetimes.com/uk/science/a...
Most Brits are strongly opposed to use of artificial wombs outside the mother for developing foetuses. Apart from Gen Z, who back it.
Public *does* support concept when mother or baby's life is at risk, however
👇⬇️
www.thetimes.com/uk/science/a...
Grow a ‘baby in a bag’? Gen Z backs the use of artificial wombs
Scientists want to conduct human trials on supporting premature babies outside of their mother’s bodies, but the British public has reservations
www.thetimes.com
March 6, 2025 at 10:03 AM
New research from
@theosthinktank.bsky.social
ahead of the launch of the Motherhood Vs The Machine podcast next week!
@chinemcdonald.bsky.social
@mlpennington.bsky.social
@theosthinktank.bsky.social
ahead of the launch of the Motherhood Vs The Machine podcast next week!
@chinemcdonald.bsky.social
@mlpennington.bsky.social
Reposted by Madeleine Pennington
Could headlines please not just take for granted that Trump “is doing” stuff he has no legal authority to do just because he said so? Because the implication to the reader is that he can in fact legitimately do these things.
New: Donald Trump is starting a "gold card" visa program to offer green card privileges to those who commit at least $5 million in the US
Trump to Launch ‘Gold Card’ Visa Program for Wealthy Investors
President Donald Trump said he is starting a program which would offer residency and a path to citizenship for investors who commit at least $5 million to projects in the US.
www.bloomberg.com
February 26, 2025 at 6:59 AM
Could headlines please not just take for granted that Trump “is doing” stuff he has no legal authority to do just because he said so? Because the implication to the reader is that he can in fact legitimately do these things.
“And there was one piece of information that allowed us to recognise what was happening at a crucial moment: a sign that death was close.”
Great piece on the importance of death literacy here, chiming with what we found in @theosthinktank.bsky.social research on a lack of exposure to death/dying.
Great piece on the importance of death literacy here, chiming with what we found in @theosthinktank.bsky.social research on a lack of exposure to death/dying.
‘It can be really frightening’: knowing the common signs that a loved one is dying can help in their final days
‘It can be really frightening’: knowing the common signs that a loved one is dying can help in their final days
Death is confronting, heartbreaking and unpredictable – information and open discussions can make a difficult experience more meaningful
www.theguardian.com
February 15, 2025 at 9:14 PM
“And there was one piece of information that allowed us to recognise what was happening at a crucial moment: a sign that death was close.”
Great piece on the importance of death literacy here, chiming with what we found in @theosthinktank.bsky.social research on a lack of exposure to death/dying.
Great piece on the importance of death literacy here, chiming with what we found in @theosthinktank.bsky.social research on a lack of exposure to death/dying.
Reposted by Madeleine Pennington
As ever, @hopenothate.org.uk do fantastic & important work
🚨 NEW: A Russia-linked Telegram network is inciting terror and hate crimes in the UK.
Already responsible for attacks on UK mosques, the network appears to be based in Russia - and it's gunning for violence on British streets.
New from me &
@hopenothate.org.uk
hopenothate.org.uk/2025/02/10/e...
Already responsible for attacks on UK mosques, the network appears to be based in Russia - and it's gunning for violence on British streets.
New from me &
@hopenothate.org.uk
hopenothate.org.uk/2025/02/10/e...
EXCLUSIVE: A Russia-linked Telegram network is inciting terrorism and is behind hate crimes in the UK – HOPE not hate
A supposedly UK-based network of Telegram channels is hoping to spark civil war in Britain – but the operation appears to be run from Russia. ...
hopenothate.org.uk
February 11, 2025 at 12:24 AM
As ever, @hopenothate.org.uk do fantastic & important work
Reposted by Madeleine Pennington
What does social prescribing actually look like?
Catch Dr Marianne Rozario on BBC Radio 4 Sunday unpacking our latest research on social prescribing.
🎙️Tune in from 31:40 to hear more.
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Catch Dr Marianne Rozario on BBC Radio 4 Sunday unpacking our latest research on social prescribing.
🎙️Tune in from 31:40 to hear more.
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Sunday - Synod & Safeguarding; Religion & Gen Z; USAID - BBC Sounds
A look at the ethical and religious issues of the week
www.bbc.co.uk
February 10, 2025 at 3:07 PM
What does social prescribing actually look like?
Catch Dr Marianne Rozario on BBC Radio 4 Sunday unpacking our latest research on social prescribing.
🎙️Tune in from 31:40 to hear more.
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...
Catch Dr Marianne Rozario on BBC Radio 4 Sunday unpacking our latest research on social prescribing.
🎙️Tune in from 31:40 to hear more.
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...