Down to Earth Conversations

Cathy and Steven of The Changes Ahead take over the episode putting me in the hot seat.  This interview originally appeared on The Changes Ahead podcast back in March.  We talk about creativity, being right, being just, and the shifting of our faith as we grow. 

 

If you enjoy this check out the many other fantastic conversations on The Changes Ahead - here's how they describe the heart of their podcast:

 

"It is no secret that the church in the West is in decline and there seems to have been unending talk about the church needing to change. Despite this, the number of sustainable alternatives or even smaller changes to what most would be familiar with as church is tragically low. This podcast is capturing thoughts of people who can see the Changes Ahead of us. Together we’ll be challenged, provoked even, by the views of people who are thinking about how the church might thrive going forward. So we invite you to join co-hosts Cathy Marston and Steven Goulstone as we imagine the Changes Ahead." 

 

Connect with Cathy and Steven on Facebook and Instagram, or listen on Spotify, Apple Music, or wherever you get your podcasts. 

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Connect with me at downtoearthconversations.com or at

Facebook: facebook.com/downtoearth.conversations 

Instagram: @downtoearth.conversations

Email: [email protected]

James Beck, is a speaker, facilitator, pastor, podcaster, author and eco-warrior.  We talk about the years James spent working with Attitude, helping shape the wellbeing of teenagers throughout Aotearoa, and his time at the Parenting Place. We also talk about James' passion for the environment and how that is impacting his work, his church, and his spirituality, as well as his own Podcast, Ngā Here, that brings the environment, the bible, and te ao Māori, the world of Māori, together.

Check out the Wilberforce Foundation, A Rocha, and the Eco Church initiative. 

Listen to Ngā Here on Spotify, Apple Music, or wherever you get your podcasts. 

If you're in Christchurch and would like to connect with James' church, head to The River Ōpāwaho.

And check out James' book on YouTube, or go and buy your copy from your local children's bookseller.

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Connect with me at downtoearthconversations.com or at

Facebook: facebook.com/downtoearth.conversations 

Instagram: @downtoearth.conversations

Email: [email protected]

Heather Roberts is the founder of the initiative Just Kai - an organisation looking to aid consumers in buying food products free from slavery or child labour.

Heather shares with me her prolonged  journey of chronic fatigue and how that impacted life for her for many years. We hear about how it rapidly arrived and then rapidly improved years later like the flicking of a switch. 

She shares about things that got her through that time, including relationships and connection, her amazingly supportive husband, and her local church.

We also hear about how Heather's illness led to the work she is now doing with Just Kai, and how Just Kai played a part in her dramatic recovery. 

Check out Just Kai's website or find them on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter, and make sure to spread the word about this awesome work.

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Connect with me at downtoearthconversations.com or at

Facebook: facebook.com/downtoearth.conversations 

Instagram: @downtoearth.conversations

Email: [email protected]

Nigel Yeoh is a medical doctor, a GP, who also works as a Police Medical Officer for the Police in Ōtautahi-Christchurch. In this conversation we talk about what it's like journeying with people through their physical and mental struggles, but also seeing patients overcome illnesses and challenges. I ask how the system could be better to allow the most disadvantaged to gain support, and about how Nigel cares for those accused of heinous crimes.  Ultimately, this is a conversation about how Nigel's love for people lies at the centre of everything.

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Connect with me at downtoearthconversations.com or at

Facebook: facebook.com/downtoearth.conversations 

Instagram: @downtoearth.conversations

Email: [email protected]

Aotearoa New Zealand theologian Michael Frost (not to be confused with Australian theologian Michael Frost...who is also worth a follow on your socials) has a PhD in theology, an honours degree in Science, is a lecturer and pastor, and is a well respected host of the podcast In the Shift, 'for when life and faith go off script.'

Our kōrero takes many twists and turns as we talk about science and faith, Michael and his wife's 10 year journey to become parents, suffering and theology, changing beliefs, being a rainbow ally, and the church's relationship with unhealthy forms of power. 

A trigger warning, we do mention in this episode traumas such as infertility and miscarriage, and negative experiences of church from the lgbtqai+ community and others who have come out of high demand religious spaces. Please take care of yourself and take a break if you need it. And please talk to someone if things come up for you.  

Find Michael through his website, Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram, and listen to In the Shift wherever you get your podcasts.

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Connect with me at downtoearthconversations.com or at

Facebook: facebook.com/downtoearth.conversations 

Instagram: @downtoearth.conversations

Email: [email protected]

Katy Rowden is the General Manager of Good Bitches Baking, a small charity here in Aotearoa with a big impact in the lives of so many through the art of baking. 

We talk about how the organisation started, how it got it's name and why they're sticking with it, how they are using baking as a vehicle to share kindness, and how that kindness actually breeds more kindness. We hear some of the feedback that their Good Bitches have received in thanks for their baking, and we see that one simple act can make an enormous difference in someone else's life. 

It's an inspirational conversation about finding how who you are and what you do can be used to share kindness and goodness with the world. 

Check out Good Bitches Baking on their Website, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

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Connect with me at downtoearthconversations.com or at

Facebook: facebook.com/downtoearth.conversations 

Instagram: @downtoearth.conversations

Email: [email protected]

Kath Bee is one of New Zealand's top children's music writers and performers, with a tonne of accolades under her belt and an infectiously positive outlook on life. Kath had quite a late start into music, which allowed for some great discussion about life before music, including how being a teacher aide shaped her as she learnt from those who others called disabled. We also discuss why she likes to write songs that teach positive messages about life to children, and how her collaboration with E Tū Tāngata came about that led her to take out Best Song at the New Zealand Children's Music Awards last year. 

 

Find Kath on her website, kathbee.nz, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Apple Music, and Spotify. 

Find more about E Tū Tāngata on their website, Facebook, Instagram, or YouTube.

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Connect with me at downtoearthconversations.com or at

Facebook: facebook.com/downtoearth.conversations 

Instagram: @downtoearth.conversations

Email: [email protected]

I asked Keren Maxwell to come on the podcast because an often overlooked way of doing good in the world is simply raising children.  Keren and her husband Glen have 4 children and celebrate them so well. Keren hasn't come on as a parenting expert, but simply to share her journey of celebrating and loving her children through whatever comes, including the many curve balls that are part and parcel of parenting.

In this conversation Keren and I talk about journeying with one of her children in the area of sexuality and identity, and then walking with her other children who developed various levels of uncontrollable tics over the past few years.

I think there is so much in this conversation whether you are a parent or not. 

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Connect with me at downtoearthconversations.com or at

Facebook: facebook.com/downtoearth.conversations 

Instagram: @downtoearth.conversations

Email: [email protected]

Corinne Haines is the current Christchurch City Missioner - or CEO of the City Mission.  Corinne is a successful business leader, a wife and mother, a Companion of the New Zealand Order of Merit, and a generous and caring person.

 

We talk about her journey into business and then leading in business, particularly through adversity such as the Christchurch Earthquakes and an office fire that came soon after. We talk about how her journey has taken her to the Ministry of Defence and the regeneration of Christchurch, and then we discuss her current role as City Missioner, what that entails, and what she's learnt along the way.

 

For more on the Christchurch City Mission check out citymission.org.nz 

 

To support Manny and Sarah's quest for a mobility vehicle, as mentioned in the episode, head to my give-a-little page

 

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Connect with me at downtoearthconversations.com or at

Facebook: facebook.com/downtoearth.conversations 

Instagram: @downtoearth.conversations

Email: [email protected]

In this episode I bring together poetry and song from former guests of the podcast as a Christmas gift to you all.

The episode features music from Juliagrace (ep.5) and Music with Michal (ep.50), as well as poetry from Te Karere Whitiao Scarborough (ep.10), Dietrich Soakai (ep.34), Mohamed Hassan (ep.59), Joel McKerrow (ep.31), and myself.

And to finish the episode I bring you the audio version of my kids book - Three Things to Know: An E Tū Tāngata Story - read by tamariki (children). 

Find Julia Grace at her website, Facebook, Instagram, or Spotify.

Find Music with Michal at her website, Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, or Spotify.

Check out more poems from Te Karere Whitiao Scarborough (formerly Zane) on YouTube.

Check out more poems from Dietrich Soakai on YouTube, and check out his mahi at VOYCEWhakarongoMai or on Instagram at @voycenz

Find Mohamed Hassan at his website, where he links to his social media and his books. Hear more of his poems on YouTube.

Find Joel McKerrow's art exhibition HUMAN on his website, or check out his School for Creative Development.  You can also find his poems on YouTube and Spotify.

And to purchase a copy of my book, head to etutangata.nz where you can also sign up for their resource kete that includes the audio version of the book (as read by me, and also the one read by tamariki).

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Connect with me at downtoearthconversations.com or at

Facebook: facebook.com/downtoearth.conversations 

Instagram: @downtoearth.conversations

Email: [email protected]