What lenses do we bring to reading scripture? What are we missing by not considering the lenses different people bring to it? Jaimee offers us crucial insights into what a feminist lens offers the church today, including reflecting on the objectification of women that happens all too frequently in our church spaces. Jaimee’s reflections truly show us that feminism is good for everyone!

The word deconstruction within Christian circles can often have negative connotations. Kenneth encourages us, out of his story of living abroad in some really challenging contexts as well as his work in Spiritual Direction, to reconsider the way we think of the deconstruction process and find the love of God in the midst of it.

In this episode, we listen to Lindy’s story of leaving a high-demand religious context. We get to hear what that process was like; the trauma experienced both inside the high-demand space and the trauma of leaving. If we let it, the story can also hold a mirror up to our practices to identify any red flags. We also hear the hope of healing the Christian community can bring.

What does healthy sexuality look like? What are some of the challenges for people in faith-based contexts in this area? How can we celebrate the good that is our bodies? These are just some of the questions we explore in this frank and really important conversation with Sex Therapist, Jo Robertson.

We’re joined by fellow podcast host Andy Dickson from ‘Down to Earth Conversations’, who gives us an incredible vision for the simplicity of bringing a little bit of heaven down to earth by focusing on people first, embracing creativity, and always working towards what is just.

To acknowledge International Women’s Day, in a vulnerable and inspiring conversation, Grace talks about her journey following holy discontent into places of leadership and invites us to reflect on the way women are treated in the church, offering suggestions for the way forward.

We start this new season hearing from Jess about her experience with politics as a Youth MP and how that impacts her view of faith and church alongside the vital importance of meaningful representation and relationships so that all might thrive within faith communities.

In our final episode of the year, Cathy and Steven reflect on what they’ve heard and what The Changes Ahead might be.

As we begin to wrap up the first season of this podcast, we hear from two pastors who have listened to every previous episode. Together they highlight one of the themes that has been clear throughout all of the earlier conversations: of taking the time, and having a posture to listen to voices which bring challenge and critique.

What is it like to be exposed to new and vastly different ways of thinking to what you are used to? When we realise that there is always more than one way at looking at an issue, a question or truth, how do we reconcile that with our previously held perspectives. In this episode we hear from recent Carey Baptist College Pastoral Leadership graduate, Sacha Olson, about what her journey in these spaces has been like.