The Dead Elephants Podcast

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Discord Server: https://discord.gg/P5tf3ZTkFJ Duncan Robinson and Chris Cipollone are old friends who have had more than 3 decades of Pastoral Experience between them. Duncan a former breakfast show host and Chris a current Entrepreneur tackle some of the big questions of Faith that might be a bit sensitive to talk about. We disagree a lot, but our goal is to foster healthy conversations about faith.

Duncan Robinson and Chris Cipollone


    • Apr 24, 2025 LATEST EPISODE
    • weekly NEW EPISODES
    • 38m AVG DURATION
    • 70 EPISODES


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    Latest episodes from The Dead Elephants Podcast

    Future Proof Part 2 - Yet again it isn't some cyberpunk crossover.

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 24, 2025 38:41


    This episode does though feature a genetically augmented Steven McAlpine, did you know he runs! Anyway let's talk about the future of Church. A Quick note there were some Audio issues, so Duncan's voice isn't clear, apologies, the conversation surprisingly is still really good!

    FutureProof Part 1 - It isn't the dystopian blade runner episode, or is it?!

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 17, 2025 28:23


    Either way it does feature a dark brooding Steven McAlpine sharing some of the insights from his latest book Future Proof which is literally about the future of the church. A Quick note there were some Audio issues, so Duncan's voice isn't clear, apologies, the conversation surprisingly is still really good!

    Partial Phoenix Rising Duncan powers on as Chris encourages him towards the finish line.

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 3, 2025 42:07


    We are talking about Duncan's new book, it's been 10 years but he's back in the writing saddle and it's closer to being finished than anyone could believe.

    Stunned that a publisher has agreed to his book, but feverishly crafts the narrative.

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 27, 2025 29:25


    This Episode there's a surprising revelation. Duncan after 10 years is back with another book! He's only 10,000 words from finishing, that should be fine....right?! Either way he'll have to go Full Phoenix Rising.

    Apparently Duncan didn't get enough of Here to Love and wants more (Part 2)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 20, 2025 25:24


    Today we burrow in to practicalities of what it looks like to be here to love, unpacking more of Chris' book in the hopes that we can all be a little more lovely. Perhaps releasing a picture book so Duncan can join in the fun.

    Absolute Shameless Plug for a Book Chris hasn't even released yet Part 1

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 13, 2025 30:37


    This week Chris and Duncan talk books. Things that Chris has written and a protracted explanation of love. That we are here to love which is also co-incidently the title of the book. So you can be hear to love, did you see the play on words. Anyway if you want to keep the conversation going, don't do it on social media join us on discord!!!https://discord.gg/7JDPFaJ5Et

    Time for a spiritual health shake of leadership as Chris and Duncan hit the versa climber looking at future church leaders.

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 6, 2025 33:25


    What does the next season of leadership look like for the church? Where are we going and how do we be the most emotional stable leaders possible.

    Chris discovers that nominal Christians are a thing, Duncan shows him how best to half-ass a situation.

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 27, 2025 26:10


    With the decline of Nominal Christians what do we make of this new navy seal-esque season of church? Do we only have spiritual juggernauts?!

    Outraged at the notion that people get outraged, Duncan and Chris discuss best practices for yelling.

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 20, 2025 31:45


    Ed Stetzer has a book on the age of outrage. Church are filled with people who are out of patience and we have a society that is quick to outrage, what to we bring as believers to help combat outrage?

    The rise of the ‘parachurch' and the role this places in the global Church going forward with Adam Holland (Part 3)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 13, 2025 45:21


    Part 3 - The rise of the ‘parachurch' and the role this places in the global Church going forward a chat about discipleship and the big questions about the future of church and what we can learn from our persecuted brothers and sisters. Thanks so much to Adam Holland for joining us for 3 big conversations about the persecuted church.

    What the Christian West can learn from the persecuted church as it moves forward a chat with Adam Holland from Open Doors. (Part 2)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 6, 2025 49:50


    Part 2 of the Podcast we chat with Adam Holland CEO of Open Doors Australia. What can we learn from the persecuted church as we look towards the future of church here in Australia and the west.

    An Open Door and a Conversation with a Friend About the Future of Church in the persecuted world with Adam Holland

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 6, 2025 46:09


    We're back! Episode 1 is here and we catch up with the CEO of Open Doors Australia Adam Holland. This season we're taking a pivot and making the ENTIRE season about the future of church! Where are we going? What are we doing? What will church look like? More importantly we want to learn from our persecuted brothers abroad so we're joined by the CEO of Open Doors Australia Adam Holland to help learn a little more!

    Season 2 Finale. Where to from here?

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 25, 2024 23:45


    Team we've made it all the way through to the end of Season 2 but we're dropping some bombshells today. Discord: https://discord.gg/7JDPFaJ5Et GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-us-upgrade-our-video-equipment

    Question's Answered by White Men in a studio. Nutritional Value unclear.

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 18, 2024 39:25


    Today we answer some of the question on Discord.....yeah you should join Discord, you can do that with the links below and help us raise some money towards new equipment. Discord: https://discord.gg/7JDPFaJ5Et GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-us-upgrade-our-video-equipment

    Angry about the Listeners Duncan weighs in about why everyone is wrong and the AI overlords are real.

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 11, 2024 37:24


    Chris tempers Duncan's strong feelings but the tidal wave of frustration with the listeners bubbles over in this episode when Duncan points out everyone is wrong and the thing he cares about is the biggest deal in the world. Chris spends most of his time looking disappointed that Duncan still acts like a 3 year old. Discord: https://discord.gg/7JDPFaJ5Et GoFundMe: https://www.gofundme.com/f/help-us-upgrade-our-video-equipment

    Collaboration Podcast! Dead Elephants X Upside Down Podcast

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 4, 2024 55:56


    Huge thanks to Caleb from Western Australia who reached out and wanted to do a collaboration podcast. Duncan will eventually figure out there are different timezones, and authentically Chris connects with Caleb in a way that speaks true Authenticity.

    Woah Tiger, did we just make third date?! Looks like Chris will have to wear our finest going out Jeans.

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 27, 2024 48:38


    Welcome Back Ben and Laura for round three, and two old dinosaurs learn the subtle details of dating in a modern culture. We have our Papyrus out to take notes!

    Better shave my legs, Chris and Duncan go on a second date with Laura and Ben.

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 20, 2024 38:04


    Ben and Laura continue their deep dive into dating and learning the best way forward in the Christian Dating Jungle!

    Chris and Duncan venture into modern dating, snacks in the city with Ben and Laura.

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 14, 2024 35:37


    There has been a long standing issue with Duncan and Chris' understanding of modern dating, hopefully Ben and Laura can set Duncan and Chris straight on the issues with modern Christian dating.

    Infertility, Miscarriages and Rainbow Babies Episode 3 - Rainbow Babies

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 6, 2024 43:54


    Today is the final part of our 3 part series and we're really thankful to Phoebe, Jenna and Holly for joining us to chat through some of the challenges they faced on the road to Motherhood. Jenna finished off our chat sharing a little about her journey and educates Duncan on a new term. If you'd like to join the conversation, head over to discord! https://discord.gg/Fq2VZUPfr8

    Infertility, Miscarriages and Rainbow Babies (Part 2) - Miscarriages

    Play Episode Listen Later May 30, 2024 47:00


    Big thanks again to our 3 awesome mums, Phoebe, Jenna and Holly for joining us in a noisy church for this chat. Today Phoebe shares a little on her experience to motherhood. If you'd like to join the conversation. It happens on Discord. https://discord.gg/Fq2VZUPfr8

    Infertility, Miscarriages and Rainbow Babies Part 1 - IVF

    Play Episode Listen Later May 23, 2024 61:14


    Today we welcome into the studio Holly, Phoebe and Jenna to share a little about their journey to motherhood. It's a rocky journey and today we're grateful for Holly who shared her story of IVF. We'd love you to join the conversation on our discord channel. https://discord.gg/Fq2VZUPfr8

    Pornography, Sexuality and the Little Death with Monica (Episode 4)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 16, 2024 50:35


    Our Sex journey comes to an end with a little death. Also a big sex death with Pornography, this might be the final week when we can spruik ratings off these key words. Monica you were fantastic!

    Phew, Sex and Service with Monica.....WAITOR I'd like seconds!

    Play Episode Listen Later May 9, 2024 48:01


    This week we talk about the language of sex and service and whether it is at all helpful.

    Hydrate! Monica is back and this sizzlefest is heading into overtime! (Part 2)

    Play Episode Listen Later May 2, 2024 38:06


    What happens when sex is on the rocks, and not in a fun way. Like in a serious we've got issues and we've got to work through them together. Duncan gears up to remind everyone that ALL CHURCHES SHOULD HAVE SEXOLOGISTS! Monica is probably the only reasonable person in the studio. Chris is on his 15th page of notes. We continue our sex chat, looking at dysfunction.

    A Category 5 Sizzle Fest with Monica Cook, with a double dose of Sex (Part 1)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 25, 2024 30:25


    Listen up peeps, the studio gets at least 12 percent more steamy as we venture into the realm of sex with Monica. Chris addresses his quivering microphone, while Monica gives Duncan pointers on his hosting form. This kind of a conversation should happen after 9pm but just to be naughty we're releasing this episode at 8am. Buckle up tiger Monica is in the house.

    Prayer and the Language of Eternity.

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 18, 2024 33:02


    Did someone touch my prayer candle! Seriously Chris has the most epic prayer robes ever, if only you could see them on your audio platform. Duncan checks into a monastery and we double down on the goodness of prayer. We're both pretty church Bridgetown church and John Mark Comer would be proud!

    Jesus is awesome but the Bible Sucks! (Part 3)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 11, 2024 36:35


    Is it time to sit down and revisit the bible, it's now like old....super super old. If Jesus doesn't understand how to be Cap what do we do if his book at best is Mid. I was writing this and trying to figure out how to put cowabunga in, but that only shows my age. Sweet mercy the bible is like a million years old! Ok, hopefully Chris and Duncan can find a way that the bible doesn't offend...right!?!

    Jesus is awesome but the Church Sucks! (Part 2)

    Play Episode Listen Later Apr 4, 2024 30:54


    Sadly after months of underachieving KPI's Chris administers a much needed 360 review on Duncan's performance as a pastor. The results aren't good, but we all knew that Duncan spends most of his time lowering the bar of expectations for pastors and churches. Chris kindly administers the beating with pool noodles and we can all be gracious he's so sweet and kind. Coincidently Chris is writing a book "The Pool Noodle of Justice for Jesus".

    Jesus is Awesome but Christians Suck! (Part 1)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 28, 2024 32:05


    Well it's time to uncork on some major in house issues. Chris takes personal offence against every jerk christian throughout all of human history. Duncan on the other hand has a few choice words for everyone. That's right you're a jerk, you get called a jerk, that guy in the back....total jerk....everyone its time to be one giant jerk sandwich.

    Duncan attempts to go scorched earth on the church again, Kara Martin corrects him. (Part 4)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 21, 2024 42:33


    What is the job of the church, how do we tackle equipping the saints and should the church shift what it does and how it does it! This is the final episode with Kara Martin! Join the chat on discord https://discord.gg/gBt7CTrShq

    Burnout and Balance with Kara Martin (Part 3)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 14, 2024 35:08


    When everything goes south at work, and things get overwhelming how do we respond? What should we do? How do we find harmony in the chaotic environment of work when it happens!? Join the conversation on discord https://discord.gg/gBt7CTrShq

    Career and Calling with Kara Martin (Part 2)

    Play Episode Listen Later Mar 7, 2024 31:25


    We keep the conversation going this week with Kara Martin, lets tackle Career and Calling and figure out what we should all do! Join the conversation on Discord! https://discord.gg/gBt7CTrShq

    Faith and Work with Kara Martin - Work/Life Balance (Part 1)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 29, 2024 38:03


    Today on the show we're joined by Kara Martin, who has authored a book called "workship" today we're talking Faith, Work and Everything in-between, actually we've got her for 4 episodes so lets start with Work/Life Balance.

    Healing, Angels and Demons oh My! (Part 2)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 22, 2024 27:45


    Did it just get dark in here?! It's time to talk demons, more specifically victory over the the darkness! Here's a link to discord https://discord.gg/gBt7CTrShq

    angels and demons healing angels
    Healing, Angels and Demons Oh My! (Part 1)

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 15, 2024 30:54


    Lets chat about Healing, as we tackle this episode Duncan breaks out the Oil, Chris prepares the Ram's horn and we gear up to lay on hands. Here's a link to discord https://discord.gg/gBt7CTrShq

    Which car is too expensive to for a Christian to own?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 8, 2024 25:13


    Is it possible for us to create a formula where we can calculate the exact ratio of generosity to vehicle cost. Can you arrive at church in a Bugatti? Or is it best to just own a GTi? Here's a link to discord https://discord.gg/gBt7CTrShq

    When does your mindfulness become Buddhist?

    Play Episode Listen Later Feb 1, 2024 35:50


    With all the awareness on mental health, where is the crossover point for a believer where your latest new-age treatment might actually be a big issue!? Somebody ready the cold plunge, we're about to Wim Hof a solution. Here's a link to discord https://discord.gg/gBt7CTrShq

    Season 1 - Wrap Up Episode - THANKYOU!

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 17, 2023 13:52


    Today we conclude season 1, recap some feedback and map out the next steps for Season 2! A huge thank you to everyone who tuned in for this season!

    Part 2 - When should I leave a church?

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 10, 2023 29:43


    Today we are talking about leaving well. Why? When and How?

    Part 1 - The Church is on Life Support, how do you know if you're dying as a community?!

    Play Episode Listen Later Aug 3, 2023 51:40


    This is part one of a two part series on looking at Dying churches and restlessness. Don't forget you can join the conversation on discord! https://discord.gg/xvnxFbmthy

    Rainbow Cakes, Weddings and Jesus

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 27, 2023 42:06


    Today we tackle whether or not Jesus would bake a cake for a gay wedding like it's straight out of 2012.

    Two Middle Aged Men painfully talk about modern dating.

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 20, 2023 47:08


    I guess we do awkward topics, and so it's time for a couple of dads to weigh in on dating.

    Two guys in ministry disagree with women in ministry....

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 13, 2023 37:44


    ....seriously though, we don't agree. Which is such a surprise, most of Christianity typically agrees on this stuff.... hey AI are you sure they'll get the copious sarcasm?!

    Time to talk burnout...and not the fun kind. The one that doesn't involve rubber and fast cars.

    Play Episode Listen Later Jul 6, 2023 37:32


    Listener Suggested question on this one! We are going to have a big ol talk about burnout!

    It's a competition to see who can grow the most grey hairs! Chris kindly points out Jesus always wins!

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 29, 2023 38:13


    Today we are talking about Aging and the challenges and ways to navigate it well.

    Chris takes a sledgehammer to deconstruction while Duncan excitedly primes the dynamite.

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 22, 2023 42:40


    Deconstruction is a popular topic and Chris wants to get to the bottom of why Duncan doesn't like it. Hopefully there's a place in the middle for Jesus to shine through.

    BONUS LIVE POD! This is the recording from our podcast from the Maximus Event.

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 20, 2023 67:55


    First ever live podcast big thanks to Maximus for hosting us from Frenchs Forest Anglican Church, and the bunches of neighbouring churches who joined us for the live podcast.

    Duncan grows his armpit hair into a luscious thicket and Chris straps himself to a tree.

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 15, 2023 39:58


    This week we're talking environmental sustainability and why Christians should care in a big way about this stuff!!

    Robots invade the Studio and another version of Duncan is sent back in time to help Chris.

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 8, 2023 29:07


    Chat GPT... Handle the intro.... [Upbeat music fades in] Narrator: Welcome to "The AI Factor," the podcast that delves deep into the fascinating world of Artificial Intelligence. Join your hosts, Duncan and Chris, as they uncover the groundbreaking advancements, ethical dilemmas, and mind-boggling possibilities presented by this ever-evolving technology. [Music transitions to a captivating tone] Narrator: In a world where AI has become an integral part of our daily lives, it's crucial to stay informed about the latest developments, understand its impact on society, and explore the potential it holds for shaping our future. Duncan and Chris, our knowledgeable and engaging hosts, will guide you through this exciting journey. [Music picks up pace] Narrator: Duncan, an AI enthusiast and tech aficionado, brings his deep understanding of the subject matter, while Chris, an ethical philosopher and futurist, offers insightful perspectives on the profound questions AI poses for humanity. [Music fades out] Narrator: Together, they'll unravel the complexities of AI, presenting both its triumphs and challenges in a way that's accessible and thought-provoking. Each episode, they'll bring you expert interviews, thought leaders, and captivating stories from the forefront of AI research and implementation. [Music swells] Narrator: Whether you're a seasoned AI professional, a curious enthusiast, or simply someone fascinated by the impact of technology on our lives, "The AI Factor" is the podcast you've been waiting for. So, buckle up and get ready to explore the limitless possibilities of Artificial Intelligence, as Duncan and Chris take you on an exciting adventure into the world of "The AI Factor." [Music fades out] Narrator: Join our Discord https://discord.gg/xvnxFbmthy

    The Studio Ceiling Opens, Doves Descend and the Holy Spirit is present, while Chris sings 3 part harmonies.

    Play Episode Listen Later Jun 1, 2023 39:25


    This week we are talking about the Holy Spirt, we'd love you to join the conversation on discord! https://discord.gg/xvnxFbmthy

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