The Reverend Jonathan Aitken has survived and thrived over eight decades of triumph and crisis. The former government minister, author, ordained prison chaplain and priest and, like me, a former inmate of Belmarsh prison – Jonathan has a lifetime of...

The Reverend Jonathan Aitken has survived and thrived over eight decades of triumph and crisis. The former government minister, author, ordained prison chaplain and priest and, like me, a former inmate of Belmarsh prison – Jonathan has a lifetime of stories to tell and wisdom to impart. From spending childhood years battling TB to working as a reporter in Saigon; to being tipped as a future Prime Minister described as ‘not just gilded but golden’ from pleading guilty and being sentenced for perjury, to finding faith and rebuilding his life’s purpose as a priest - Jonathan has seen and been through it all. Jonathan’s most recent crisis almost claimed his life. But, throughout it all he has pushed on and pushed through with a sense of resilience – and an incredible rate of productivity - that is truly inspiring and from which I think we can all learn.   Links     Aitken is a trustee of the <a href="https://saidfoundation.org/" target="_blank">Saïd Foundation</a>, <a href="https://www.mcdonaldagape.org/agape/mcdonald-agape-foundation.html" target="_blank">McDonald Agape Foundation</a>, and <a href="http://www.trinityforumeurope.org/" target="_blank">Trinity Forum Europe.</a> Aitken is Honorary President of <a href="https://www.tempusnovo.org/" target="_blank">Tempus Novo</a> and Patron of <a href="https://www.csw.org.uk/home.htm" target="_blank">CSW</a>. Aitken is the founder of <a href="https://www.friendsofpentonville.com/" target="_blank">Chance to Change Foundation/Friends of Pentonville.</a>   Books <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Letters-Ages-Behind-Bars-Incarceration/dp/1399413899/ref=sr_1_4?dib=eyJ2IjoiMSJ9.GMOztpV5TR0gwZfLBMQ2I1K-23cLzTapxYZJO1oYiyl3q6owW7yq-rid4e_xuaEWC5H8397FMVW2CA8EP1o1oioWOiXxt1Kk6J-LQyjFgWdeHq10-DuMpBNKUI9KdP7f0MYXZDop1oa_C5ynQNq4uEQw6ClSUqWbo8_mJoSG3WG1h_tjtCBRJOp1zwZO2_Yq7RRvso4Ma-oJyrUOPTA9f31lOxSpni6jSfn3J1z38ok.S08MUEAEhmlh8jnAjReEl2XzfScNp3eStZTBx6j--sc&amp;dib_tag=se&amp;qid=1714036003&amp;refinements=p_27%3AJonathan+Aitken&amp;s=books&amp;sr=1-4" target="_blank">Letters for the Ages Behind Bars: Letters from History's Most Famous Prisoners, 2024.</a> <a href="https://www.amazon.co.uk/Doing-Time-spiritual-survival-guide/dp/0745981488" target="_blank">Doing Time: A spiritual survival guide, 2021</a>. <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Porridge-Passion-Autobiography-Jonathan-Aitken/dp/0826480683/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1399977284&amp;sr=8-3&amp;keywords=jonathan+aitken" target="_blank">Porridge and Passion, 2005</a>. <a href="http://www.amazon.co.uk/Pride-Perjury-Autobiography-Jonathan-Aitken/dp/0826472745/ref=sr_1_4?ie=UTF8&amp;qid=1399977284&amp;sr=8-4&amp;keywords=jonathan+aitken" target="_blank">Pride and Perjury, 2000</a>.   Stream/buy ‘Allies’ by Some Velvet Morning: <a href="https://ampl.ink/qp6bm" target="_blank">https://ampl.ink/qp6bm</a>     Some Velvet Morning Website: <a href="http://www.somevelvetmorning.co.uk/" target="_blank">www.somevelvetmorning.co.uk</a>       Your Daily Practice: Sleep by Myndstream: <a href="https://open.spotify.com/track/5OX9XgJufFz9g63o2Dv2i5?si=b2f9397c92084682" target="_blank">https://open.spotify.com/track/5OX9XgJufFz9g63o2Dv2i5?si=b2f9397c92084682</a>   Host – Andy Coulson    CWC team: Jane Sankey, Louise Difford, Zach Ellis and Mabel Pickering    With special thanks to Ioana Barbu and the brilliant people at Global       For all PR and guest approaches please contact – <a href="http://coulsonpartners.com/" target="_blank">podcast@coulsonpartners.com</a>   ...

87. Jonathan Aitken on prison, priesthood and purpose