Ep. 69 / Faith in the Newsroom: Canadian Media and Religion with John Longhurst

What happens to public life when newsrooms stop covering faith? In this episode we sit down with John Longhurst, one of Canada’s most experienced religion journalists, to explore why religion beats disappeared, what communities lose when belief goes unseen, and where hope is quietly taking root across the country. John explains the economic forces behind it all, the difference between hostility and invisibility, and the practical steps churches, mosques, synagogues and temples can take to get real stories told.

Our conversation moves from the raw pain of residential schools—following survivors to Rome and the papal apology—to the concrete ways congregations across Canada are serving today: feeding their neighbours, opening shelters, and increasingly transforming empty sanctuaries into affordable housing and service hubs. John also maps his hometown Winnipeg’s growing religious diversity and the familiar immigrant arc: newcomers finding welcome and support from the church, just as early Mennonite and Lutheran settlers once did. 

If you’ve ever wondered how to pitch a faith story that lands, John also offers a playbook: tie your work to broader civic issues, send timely tips, and engage reporters with data and real-life impact. If you'd like to learn more from John Longhurst, you can read his publications with the Winnipeg Free Press and find him on social media. 

And please don't forget to share this episode and join the conversation on YouTube! 

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