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The Edinburgh Festivals are drawing to a close, and one of the word-of-mouth hits has been the theatre production ‘Scaffolding’. A one-woman play that follows the character of Sheridan, a carer and member of a small village parish. She’s helping to raise funds for a new steeple for her local church while also grieving for her late husband Emil. She reaches breaking point when she ascends the scaffolding around the church’s new steeple and begs God for answers. Connie is joined by the writer Lucy Bell to discuss the inspiration behind the play.

With the latest news that the number of people in Scotland to have died due to drugs misuse has risen by 12%, it’s a huge concern for those on the frontline dealing with people with addictions. Many of the support networks in Scotland are run by faith charities who provide help in the rehabilitation of those with drug issues. David Harper, the Rehab Pathways Manager at Glasgow City Mission, talks to Connie about the work he’s involved in helping those with addictions.

The Rev Diana Hall, currently running 209 miles in 10 days across Iceland, took the time to record a short audio diary on the morning she set off across a rain and windswept Icelandic landscape. She talks about the personal reasons behind her decision to undertake this epic challenge.

Sharing his Spiritual Life this week is Rodge Glass, Senior Lecturer in Creative Writing at Strathclyde University. A prize-winning author of biographies of Alasdair Gray and Michel Faber, his latest book sees him turning the gaze on himself. His memoir, ‘Joshua In The Sky’ explores his relationship with his Jewish faith, and the story of his nephew Joshua, who shared the same hereditary blood condition as other family members.

Connie delves into some of the news stories of the week from an ethical and philosophical perspective, with writer and activist Dr Lesley Orr, author and anti-racism facilitator Briana Pegado, and Rupa Mooker, lawyer and member of the Sikh community in Scotland.

With Kamala Harris accepting the Democratic nomination for president at the party’s convention last week, the many facets of her identity, including being the daughter of two immigrant parents - an Indian-born mother and Jamaican-born father – were proudly on display. Connie discusses what makes up our identities and why there can be a disconnect between how we see ourselves, and how we are seen by others.

With a report due to be published about how to foster more ethical literacy in Scottish education, how can it be taught and nurtured in a society struggling with information overload and questionable sources of news.

Protests are not just for the younger generation, increasingly older members of society are standing up for causes, and many of them women. Connie explores the stereotype of invisible older women and finds out some of the reasons for later life activism.