Content Warning - this episode references sexual abuse.

Matthew Clarke and Annabella Rossini-Clarke have always believed in lifting people up and never lowering them down.

The two ordinary Christians from the Anabaptist tradition run social enterprise initiative Turning Teardrops into Joy to aid people in poverty wherever they can.

But, through their work, they were troubled to learn about the worsening global problem of human trafficking.

They started a project to crack open the issue and find effective ways of stamping it out.

The couple spoke with host Jenan Taylor about human trafficking and the role that biblical mercy could play in helping to thwart it.

This episode references sexual abuse. If you or someone you know needs support, contact Lifeline on 13 11 14

* CONTENT WARNING * This episode of Everyday Saints touches on gender dysphoria and mental health. If you or someone you know needs support contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.Alexandra Amerides is a trans and non-binary opera singer who grew up Greek Orthodox but has since found a home in the Anglican Church. They spoke with Maya Pilbrow about gender roles, opera singing, worship music, and what it means for gender diverse people to be welcomed in religious spaces.

* CONTENT WARNING * This episode of Everyday Saints touches on family violence, self harm, drug taking and sexual abuse, among other issues. If you or someone you know needs support contact Lifeline on 13 11 14.

The Reverend Natalie Dixon-Monu is coordinator of the award-winning Boroondara Community Outreach, a mental health ministry that also provides those it supports with worship, hospitality and art.A minister in the Uniting Church of Australia, Ms Dixon-Monu has also worked with young prisoners, and individuals who have struggled with a range of addictions.She spoke with Jenan Taylor about how her own turbulent upbringing drove her towards the Bible in her youth, and how her faith has been a gateway into helping people, whom many others might give up on, make sense of the Church.

Jan Shattock's faith has been a feature of her life for many decades. As a teacher, lay minister, mission worker, ESL teacher and mum, her faith has sustained her through some unexpected trials, including a sudden and frightening diagnosis. She is a parishioner at St Thomas' Burwood, and has served the Melbourne diocese and the non-English speaking community in a variety of ways. Host Kirralee Nicolle got to hear a little about what keeps her going in the ups and downs of life.

Everyday Saints is hosted and edited by Kirralee Nicolle, with help from Elspeth Kernebone, Michelle Harris, Jenan Taylor and Maya Pilbrow. Graphics by Julian Karajic.

In this episode, Dr Li Wan tells Kirralee Nicolle his story of coming to faith through prayer and provision. He details a journey of growing in humility as God demonstrated his faithfulness to Li through his medical research work.

From China to Melbourne, Li has worked in intensive care medicine, emergency medicine and now general practice. He also serves as examiner and fellow of the Royal Australian College of General Practitioners, a lay Mandarin preacher and warden at St James Anglican Church in Ivanhoe, and a stage actor. He’s also a father and husband. We hope this episode brings you encouragement, wherever you are in your journey of faith.

Everyday Saints is hosted and edited by Kirralee Nicolle, with help from Elspeth Kernebone, Michelle Harris, Jenan Taylor and Maya Pilbrow. Graphics by Julian Karajic.

Lauren is from Melbourne and grew up in a mission-focused family who wanted to see people know God's love. In chatting with Lauren we see how she went from studying to be a paramedic to studying at Sydney Missionary and Bible College and pursuing overseas mission. During this year she will be spending time at Church Missionary Society's mission training centre St Andrew's Hall with hopes to head to western Europe on mission.

Everyday Saints is hosted and edited by Kirralee Nicolle, with help from Elspeth Kernebone, Michelle Harris, Jenan Taylor and Maya Pilbrow. Graphics by Julian Karajic.

This episode features Ben Howes, someone who is passionate about the health of the environment, faith and caring for both creation and those around us.

Ben is the National Programs and Volunteer Coordinator for the Jane Goodall Foundation, a children and youth ministry worker, musician and lover of the outdoors. He studied his bachelor and master’s degrees at the University of Melbourne, and has an ongoing passion for the intersection of education, conservation and advocacy work across the Asia Pacific region.

Everyday Saints is hosted and edited by Kirralee Nicolle, with help from Elspeth Kernebone, Michelle Harris, Jenan Taylor and Maya Pilbrow. Graphics by Julian Karajic.

Professor Anne Pattel-Gray was recently appointed Professor of Indigenous Studies and inaugural Head of the School of Indigenous Studies at the University of Divinity. In 1995, she was the first Aboriginal person to be awarded a PhD at the University of Sydney, published as The Great White Flood: Racism in Australia. She has previously held Visiting Professorships at Gurukul Theological Seminary, Harvard University and Otago University. She is not only a very renowned academic, she’s an activist, a consultant and a celebrated Aboriginal leader. This episode deals with some very important, but at times very heavy topics. If you have experienced racial discrimination, this may trigger traumatic memories for you, so please proceed with care.

Everyday Saints is hosted and edited by Kirralee Nicolle, with help from Elspeth Kernebone, Michelle Harris, Jenan Taylor and Maya Pilbrow. Graphics by Julian Karajic.

Kirralee Nicolle speaks to someone with a personal connection to her – a Lutheran pastor who her husband knew growing up in Russia. Missionary-pastor Leif Camp is a Lutheran minister from the United States who has lived and worked in Russia for over 25 years. Before that, he taught English and literature at a university, and was the frontman of several successful Chicago rock bands. The Mark Twain piece Leif refers to in the episode can be found here: www.americanyawp.com/reader/19-american-empire/mark-twain-the-war-prayer-ca-1904-5/.

Everyday Saints is hosted and edited by Kirralee Nicolle, with help from Elspeth Kernebone, Michelle Harris, Jenan Taylor and Maya Pilbrow. Graphics by Julian Karajic.