There seems to be a sea of things that we can find overwhelming these days. How do we move through it all without becoming bogged down? In this episode, producer Sam talks to Phoebe Atkinson, Lissy Cole, and Rudi Robinson about the ways they see and approach overwhelming circumstances. Later on, Petra sits down with Rachel Kitchens, a spiritual director, to talk about her own experiences and a handful of practical tips. To be clear, this episode doesn't address the overwhelming nature of serious physical or mental health issues. The sense of overwhelm focussed on applies to otherwise healthy people who find either personal or global circumstances to be just too much at times. Wherever you're at, feel free to join us.

Haere mai!

Sacred Texts:

• Michael Leunig's poem
• Tuesdays with Morrie by Mitch Albom (pages 102 to 104)

Music:

• Come and Play in the Milky Night - Demo by Stereolab (played to open Phoebe's interview)
• Huia by Aro (played to open Lissy and Rudi's interview)
• Cumbia Sobre el Mar y Quantic (played during Sam's bike ride)
• Those Days by Dal and Leah Yager (played during Michael Leunig's poem)
• You Got The Love by Candi Staton and The Source
• Space 1 by Nala Sinephro (played during Tuesdays with Morrie reading)
• Sun Rays Like Stilts by Tommy Geurero (played to end communion)
• Helplessness Blues by Fleet Foxes
• FTA by Whitney (played to end Rachel's interview)
• Space is the Place by Ezra Collective (played during the benediction)

Are we living in an age that's ugly by design? This question arose after Petra and producer Sam read an article by the writer Andrew Shamy. The second in a series called "The Museum of Things We've Lost", Andrew unpacks the role of beauty and the consequences of its absence. In this episode of Sunday Sanctuary, Petra is joined by both Andrew and architectural design lecturer Abby Temby-Spence. As always, space is made for reflection alongside great waiata/music. Haere mai!

Sacred texts:

• Andrew Shamy's article. His whole substack is well worth looking through, and maybe even subscribing to....
• This edition of Nick Cave's Red Hand Files

Music:

1. You are the Gold by Terrible Sons (Intro song)
2. Climb by Laura Misch (played at the end of the into)
3. 100% by Boycrush (played at the end of Andrew's interview)
4. Mona Lisa by Nat King Cole 
5. Moon Age by Duster (played underneath Nick Cave's Red hand File)
6. Slider - Lorenzo Saxophone Dub by This Is The Kit (played during the time for contemplation)
7. Wash by Bon Iver (played at the end of communion)
8. I Love My Leather Jacket by The Chills
9. Two Fish and an Elephant by Khruangbin (played to end Abby's interview)
10. Caja de la Sala by Khruangbin (played under Petra's poem)

Mānawatia a Matariki!! Producer Sam has a brief thought to share tied to Matariki weekend. We hope you find space to embrace the themes of Matariki this year.

We'll be back next week with a new episode.

Music:

- Ruru by Aro

Prayer is something found is almost every culture and society in the world. It's so ubiquitous that even some of those who descibe themselves as non-religious or atheist have resorted to prayer at times. In this episode of Sunday Sanctuary, Petra goes looking for answers about the different forms that prayer can take, and what role it can play in our lives. Along the way, she talks to broadcaster and champion of the Māori language, Stacey Morrison, about karakia and inoi. After a short chat with producer Sam, Petra ropes in Strahan Coleman to ask about the role of prayer in deepening our relationship with God.

Haere mai (come along)!!

Sacred Text:

• This scene from the film It's a Wonderful Life

Music:

• A Calf Born in Winter by Khraugbin (played at the end of the intro)
• Instrumental by The Fuzzy Robes (Played at the end of Stacey's interview)
• 2516 by Luna Li (Played just before the ad break)
• I Say a Little Prayer For You by Aretha Franklin
• Wichita Lineman (Instrumental) by   Fatback Band (Played during community life)
• Solar Gap by Hinds (Played during communion)
• Come Ye by Nina Simone
• The Guitar is Dead 3 by Horsegirl (Played to bridge the conversations with Sam and Strahan)
• Just Saying by Jamie xx (Played to end Strahan's interview)
• Those Days by Dal (Played at the end of the episode)

Big thanks to St Paul's here in Auckland for letting producer Sam book a spot in their 24/7 prayer room!

What goals or ambitions do you have? Have you ever thought about the way you're working towards them? In this episode of Sunday Sanctuary, Petra Bagust explores what it might look like to re-define our idea of success. Along the way, she talks to Emily Looker, one half of the band Aro. Producer Sam also introduces Petra to some crazy runners and to Taufa Lavemaau, a boxer who shares his journey towards the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Sacred Texts:

• A clip from an interview with actor Ethan Hawke on the podcast Talk Easy with Sam Fragoso
• Prayer Vol. 2 by Strahan Coleman (pages 30 and 31)

Music:

• Actually by Dan Kye (played during the vox pops of Riverhead ReLaps runners)
• Home by @Peace (played to end interview with Taufa)
• Soulful Strut by Young-Holt Unlimited (played just before the ad break)
• A Hero's Death by Fontaines D.C. - Soulwax Remix
• Tezeta by Hailu Mergia (played during the contemplative practice)
• FTA by Whitney (Played to end communion)
• Te Karanga by Aro
• Statue Of A Woman by Novo Amor (played during the benediction)

 

Breathe in. Breathe out. Such simple instructions that can make a huge difference, especially when we pay attention to our breath and how we feel. When was the last time, however, that you thought about breathe as being essential to life? 

In this episode of Sunday Sanctuary, Petra explores the importance of breathe and it's link to spirit. Along the way she talks with Manuel Beazley, the vicar for māori in the Catholic diocese of Auckland, and friend of the show Rev. Frank Ritchie. Include some feedback from listeners, top quality waiata (songs), and some hollywood star power and you have the recipe for a great episode!

Haere mai!

Sacred Texts:

• This clip from the BBC podcast Sidetracked
• This scene from the film Apollo 13

A small correction: The film clip is from the movie Apollo 13, not Apollo 11.

Music:

• Space 7 by Nala Sinephro (Used during the first breathing exercise)
• Slider - Lorenzo Saxophone Dub by This Is The Kit (Used at the end of Manuel Beazley's interview)
• Breathe by Six60
• Oh My God by Kevin Morby (Used at the end of the reflection on communion)
• Breathe Deeper by Tame Impala
• Love Is Everywhere by Pharoah Sanders (Used at the end of Rev Frank Ritchie's interview)
• Frolic by Jake Xerxes Fussell (Used during the last breathing exercise)

It is so often our differences that divide people, but have you ever noticed the beauty in difference? In this episode of Sunday Sanctuary, Petra goes in search of what that means, and why difference is something o be desired, despite it's challenges.

Dame Anne Salmond is Petra's first guest. She lays out the advantages of difference at an anthropological level (as she is so good at doing!)

Rev Brett Jones is up next! Leader of the Weslyan Methodist church in Aotearoa/New Zealand, his own church and the many he oversees are full of a beautiful diversity of people. But what does this mean in actuality?

We have a new intro song! It's called You Are the Gold by Terrible Sons.

The sacred text in this episode is from a post by @dusttodigital.

Music:
Intro by The xx
Harvest for the World by The Isley Brothers
Just Saying by Jamie xx
Marechia by Nu Genea
Give a Little Bit by Supertramp
Ocean City by Gunn - Trusincski Duo

For the first time in Sunday Sanctuary's history, we a re-running an episode! We want to take you back to Easter 2023, and bring back an episode that has turned into a bit of a time capsule. While the events discussed in the episode are no longer so immediately relevant today, the conversations had and points made are still relevant to us today. It's also interesting to look back at the show at a point in time when we didn't know what would happen. Would another radio station pick up the show? Would we commit to being a podcast/ Well, look at us now!

We hope you enjoy this throwback. A brand-spanking-new episode will be in your feed again in two weeks time! 

Follow along on Instagram at @sundaysanctuarynz for updates.

Nature has seasons, the transitions between which can be difficult for many people. Life also has seasons. How do we navigate the ending of one part of our life, and the beginning of another? In this episode, Petra is joined by Rev. Frank Ritchie to unpack how he is approaching an upcoming season change in his life. Petra also talks to a group of her own friends, all of whom are in the midst of their own season changes. 

Haere mai/come along!

A small correction: We mistakenly attributed the 'Welcoming Prayer' to Thomas Merton, instead of Thomas Keating.

Music:

• Autumn Sweater by Yo La Tengo (played at the end of the intro)
• Equipoise by Max Roach (played at the end of Frank's interview)
• Bashed Out by This is the Kit
• Just Saying by Jamie xx (played during communion)
• Warned You by Good Morning (played during community life)
• Seasons (Waiting on You) by Future Islands
• Innerspace by The Apples in Stereo (played at the end of Petra's chat with her friends)

What the heck is Lent?! After being introduced to it through talkback radio, Petra decided to go in search of what Lent is all about. If you're curious about what this time of the year is all about, by all means come along!

In this episode of Sunday Sanctuary, Petra's first stop was to talk to the pride of Tairua, Strahan Coleman. You've likely heard Strahan on the show before, and this time he helped to unpack why Lent is about more that just fasting or "behaviour modification". Find Strahan's project Commoners Communion and his book 'Thirsting' here

After a reflection on communion, and some waiata/songs, Petra also catches up with Producer Sam who provides an update on part of his life that seems to be aligning with the themes of Lent. 

Haere mai!

Music:

• Emotional Intelligence by Chaos in the CBD (played at the end of the intro)
• Frolic by Jake Xerxes Fussel (played to end Strahan's interview)
• Slowdown by Brad Stank
• Hunger by Florence and the Machine (played during communion)
• Les Petits Gris by Khruangbin (played during the candle reflection)
• Sinnerman by Nina Simone
• Zionsville by Khruangbin (played at the end of Sam's conversation
• Interlude by Julie Byrne (played during the benediction)