BE AWARE: This episode discusses themes of loss, grief, and death, which may be sensitive topics for some listeners.

Summary: In this moving episode, Stewart interviews his daughter, Ashley, about the deep grief she has experienced in the last 12 months. Ashley shares her journey of supporting her partner through his early diagnosis of cancer, their engagement, an elopement due to COVID and the devastating news that the cancer had spread. She discusses the challenges of planning a wedding while facing uncertainty and the pain of losing her husband just three months after their public wedding. Ashley opens up about her struggles with faith, questions of God, and finding strength to keep going. She emphasizes the importance of showing up and sitting with someone in their pain, rather than trying to fix it. In this conversation, Ashley and Stewart discuss the challenges of reconciling pain and suffering with the belief in an all-powerful and loving God. They emphasize the importance of living in the tension of not having all the answers and accepting that some questions may never be fully answered. Ashley also highlights the importance of deciding who God is before the storm hits and inviting Him into the pain, the confusion and the struggle. The conversation explores the ongoing journey of wrestling with God and navigating grief, while also offering hope and encouragement to others facing similar struggles.

In this episode you will discover:

1.    Grief is a complex journey marked by ebbs and flows, with ongoing healing being a process rather than a destination.

2.    Trusting God in times of pain and suffering doesn't guarantee immediate relief but allows for His comforting presence and the hope of a greater purpose.

3.    Being present and listening without offering platitudes is crucial when supporting someone in pain. Genuine care and empathy are responses that really matters.

4.    Trusting God means acknowledging His presence in the pain and accepting that His plans may differ from our desires yet choosing to turn to Him for comfort and guidance.

5.    Seeking comfort in God, even in the middle of hardship, can bring a level of peace and hope.

6.    Embracing unanswered questions and living in the tension of pain and hope is an expression of faith and trust in an often hard to understand God.

…and more!

Links to:

• The Resilient Souls ⁠⁠website⁠⁠
• Get hold of ⁠⁠⁠Stewart’s Book⁠⁠⁠
• Other ⁠⁠⁠Resilient Souls podcasts⁠⁠⁠
• The ⁠⁠⁠Resilient Souls Blog⁠⁠⁠

Book ⁠⁠⁠Stewart to speak⁠⁠⁠

Support the podcast and the work of Resilient Souls: ⁠⁠⁠Donate⁠⁠⁠

Links to socials:

⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠

Links to getting help: ⁠⁠⁠Help section⁠⁠⁠ on the Resilient Souls website

Stay connected with the Resilient Souls Community: Sign up to keep informed ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠

Contact Us: Click ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠

Summary: In this conversation, Sono, a First Nations leader in Australia (Butchulla and Garrawa), shares with us the work she is doing with Strong Women Talking to address violence against First Nations women and children. Sono's own experiences with domestic violence personally and in her community have driven her to help break the cycle and support others.

Sono shares how her faith has provided hope and strength throughout her journey. In this conversation, Sono shares her personal journey of finding hope in Jesus and the misconceptions she had about the Christian faith and the reality of life not instantly improving after accepting Jesus. Sono also delves into the impact of trauma on individuals and communities, highlighting the importance of understanding and addressing trauma.

She emphasises the power of hope and the role it played in her life and the lives of her ancestors. Sono encourages listeners to hold on to hope and trust in God, even in the midst of difficult circumstances. She also emphasizes the importance of community and having support in navigating life's challenges.

In this episode you will discover:

1. Violence against First Nations women and children is a significant issue in Australia, and organizations like Strong Women Talking are working to address it.
2. Understanding the historical and ongoing impacts of colonisation is crucial in addressing the drivers of violence in First Nations communities.
3. Finding hope in Jesus can provide strength and resilience in the face of challenges.
4. Misconceptions about the Christian faith can lead to unrealistic expectations and disappointment.
5. Understanding trauma and its impact is crucial for healing and growth.
6. Hope is a powerful force that can sustain individuals and communities in the midst of adversity.
7. Community support is vital for personal growth and overcoming challenges.

… and more!

If you need help:

• 13YARN (13 92 76) (Click ⁠here⁠)
• 1800RESPECT (Click ⁠here⁠)
• White Ribbon (Click ⁠here⁠)
• Help suggestions on the Resilient Souls website(Click ⁠here⁠)

Links from the Episode:

• Strong Women Talking organisation link
• Info on Stolen Generations link
• Info on Stolen Wages link
• Info on White Australia Policy link

Links to:

• The Resilient Souls WEBSITE (Click here)
• How to get hold of Stewart’s BOOK (Click here)
• Other Resilient Souls PODCAST episodes (Clickhere)    
• The Resilient Souls BLOG (Click here)

Links to Socials:

Facebook

Instagram

LinkedIn

Book Stewart to speak (Click here)  

SIGN UP to the Resilient Souls Community (Click here)

Support the work of Resilient Souls: (Click here)

Contact Us: (Click here)

Summary: In this episode, we hear Graham Humphris share his journey as an experienced pastor and respected Christian leader, through two major challenges that deeply tested his resilience and faith. First, he recounts a life-threatening brain haemorrhage, and later, a professional crisis that shook his reputation and emotional well-being. While very different, both were serious tests that caused him to reflect deeply on faith and life.

Graham shares openly and honestly about the fears associated with a life-threatening health issue and thoughts of leaving his wife and young family behind. He emphasizes the importance of community support, developing spiritual practices long before adversity strikes and the invaluable support of faithful friends through very tough times.

The conversation shifts to a later painful experience during his leadership of a Christian organization. Though the accusations against him were proved baseless, they still deeply wounded him and threatened to undermine his lifelong commitment to integrity and service. Through months of turmoil and uncertainty, Graham remained steadfast in his trust in God.

His story is an example of unwavering faith in God through life's storms, even though he experienced tears, fears, and confusion. Graham's resilience underscores the truth that trusting in God can be a like an anchor or a guiding light through the darkest of times.

In this episode you will discover:

1.    The power of faith and resilience when navigating life's challenging moments.

2.    The value of building strong community support networks and regular habits before adversity strikes.

3.    The importance of maintaining trust in God in adversity.

4.    Supportive friends and a caring local community can provide great comfort and strength in times of crisis.

5.    Practical suggestions for navigating challenges with integrity, perseverance, and courage

…and more!

Links to:

Book ⁠⁠⁠Stewart to speak⁠⁠⁠

Support the podcast and the work of Resilient Souls: ⁠⁠⁠Donate⁠⁠⁠

Links to socials:

⁠⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠⁠

⁠⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠⁠

Links to getting help: ⁠⁠⁠Help section⁠⁠⁠ on the Resilient Souls website

Stay connected with the Resilient Souls Community: Sign up to keep informed ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠

Contact Us: Click ⁠⁠⁠here⁠⁠⁠

Summary: In this compelling episode, Amy openly shares her story of resilience in the face of devastating loss as a child. Having lost both parents at a tender age, Amy bravely navigates life's storms with a steadfast trust in God's love and care. She underscores the importance of surrounding yourself with supportive individuals and finding comfort in God's presence.

Amy's narrative serves as a powerful example of resilience and the transformative power of faith during life's darkest moments. Throughout the conversation, Amy delves into her growing perspective on God, from a childlike faith to a more mature understanding as a young adult. She emphasises the significance of Scripture, engaging in community, and grappling with the complexities of suffering. Despite her trials, Amy remains steadfast in her belief in God's goodness, trusting that all things will be made well one day.

Encouraging others to embrace vulnerability in their relationship with God and to seek professional support when necessary, Amy finds joy in her journey of faith and the unwavering support of her community. She also advocates for open conversations about loss and pain, particularly with children, and the creation of safe spaces to address doubts and struggles. In summary, Amy's journey embodies the enduring power of faith, resilience, and community in navigating life's toughest challenges, serving as a source of hope and inspiration for us all.

In this episode you will discover:

1.     Grief and loss can be especially challenging for young people, but having a safe space to process emotions and a supportive community can make a significant difference.

2.     Childlike faith and belief in God's love and presence can offer profound comfort and resilience during times of adversity.

3.     Resilience can be found in difficult times, and hope can be a source of encouragement for others.

4.    Growing in understanding through Bible reading and community engagement is vital in not turning away from God.

5.     Embracing the truth that suffering is a consequence of sin while maintaining faith in God's goodness.

6.     Encouraging raw honesty with God and advocating for professional support when needed.

7.     Discovering profound joy in a relationship with the Lord and appreciating the support of a nurturing community.

.... and more!

Links to:

• The Resilient Souls ⁠website⁠
• Get hold of ⁠⁠Stewart’s Book⁠⁠
• Other ⁠⁠Resilient Souls podcasts⁠⁠
• The ⁠⁠Resilient Souls Blog⁠⁠

Book ⁠⁠Stewart to speak⁠⁠

Support the podcast and the work of Resilient Souls: ⁠⁠Donate⁠⁠

Links to socials:

⁠⁠Facebook⁠⁠

⁠⁠Instagram⁠⁠

⁠⁠LinkedIn⁠⁠

Links to getting help: ⁠⁠Help section⁠⁠ on the Resilient Souls website

Stay connected with the Resilient Souls Community: Sign up to keep informed ⁠⁠here⁠⁠

Contact Us: Click ⁠⁠here⁠⁠

BE AWARE: This episode discusses the topic of suicide, which may be particularly difficult for some listeners.

Summary: Host Stewart Bogle talks with Adrian Blenkinsop about "Finding Strength: Navigating Faith Through Family Tragedy". Adrian shares his deeply painful story of his daughter's illness and passing, and how it challenged his faith. He discusses the initial shock of the diagnosis, his struggle to reconcile his beliefs with the suffering his family endured, and the transformation of his understanding of God. Adrian emphasises the importance of lament and living in the tension of unanswered prayers. He also highlights the support he received from his community and the need for ongoing support for those experiencing trauma. Despite the pain, Adrian finds hope in the belief that he will be reunited with his daughter one day.

In this episode you will discover:

Links to:

Book Stewart to speak

Support the podcast and the work of Resilient Souls: Donate

Links to socials:

Facebook

Instagram

LinkedIn

Links to getting help: Help section on the Resilient Souls website

Stay connected with the Resilient Souls Community: Sign up to keep informed here

Contact Us: Click here

Summary: In this first episode of the Resilient Souls podcast, Stewart Bogle introduces his own story as a starting point for him hosting conversations with others about pain and suffering and wrestling with God. This is an open and honest summary of a much deeper story that he shares in his book, Learning to Dance in the Darkness.

In this episode he explains why he has chosen to share some very personal and intensely private parts of his life in a memoir and how this led to him developing this podcast as part of a new online community called Resilient Souls. He believes this idea of storytelling and open, honest sharing even about the hard questions we have about life and faith and God is what’s needed to help people face their own storms. They need to know they are not alone, that there is hope even in the darkest times and its ok and natural to have difficult feelings and deep questions about why God is allowing difficult times in our lives.

Stewart knows that his story, his experiences and his wrestle with God is just his perspective and this is what he shares in this first episode. By interviewing others in the days ahead he hopes to broaden the conversation and bring other perspectives on what people have gone through and how they have built resilient souls.

In this episode you will learn about:

.... and more!

Links to:

Book ⁠Stewart to speak⁠

Support the podcast and the work of Resilient Souls: ⁠Donate⁠

Links to socials:

⁠Facebook⁠

⁠Instagram⁠

⁠LinkedIn⁠

Links to getting help: ⁠Help section⁠ on the Resilient Souls website

Stay connected with the Resilient Souls Community: Sign up to keep informed ⁠here⁠

Contact Us: Click ⁠here⁠