Towards Understanding

Whether you saw the Hollywood film about Sam’s story or not, make sure you listen as Sam talks about his life story: from being a drug dealer and incredibly violent man, his life-changes as he became a Christian and then his decision to fight against the LRA (Lord’s Resistance Army) to free children in South Sudan, who had been kidnapped to be part of the army. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andy is the Director of Solas and author of the book 'How to Talk About Jesus Without Looking Like An Idiot'. Andy chatted with Clayton about asking good questions as a basis of any conversations about faith... and he suggests ways to answer tricky questions. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Renée Bondi was engaged to be married and had a beautiful singing voice, a thriving career as a music teacher, and a loving family. But then one night a bizarre accident shattered her spine and left her quadriplegic - waking up and suddenly diving off her bed. Her life changed forever. Unwilling to accept that her life was over, Renée searched her heart and asked God for help. Renée shared with Clayton how she leaned on God during this time. She shares how she copes with the constant living in a wheelchair. Find out more about Renée at Catholic Speakers.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Along with Chris Tomlin, Ben Fielding has released a new single, 'First Hymn' which is a reworking of the world’s oldest Christian hymn discovered with lyrics and musical notation. The song launch comes ahead of the release of a documentary, ‘The First Hymn’, produced by Undeceptions, which tracks the discovery of the old hymn on papyrus in the sands of an ancient Egyptian city, and the process of giving it back to the world. Ben joined Clayton to chat more about this amazing project! Listen in to also hear 'The First Hymn' as Ben and Clayton speak. Ben Fielding is a GRAMMY award winning, multi-platinum, Australian songwriter and artist. A prolific song-writer, Ben has written many of the most sung and loved modern hymns across the Church globally. He is the only songwriter to have four songs reach #1 on CCLI as the most sung songs in the global Church: Goodness of God, What A Beautiful Name, Who You Say I Am and Mighty to Save. Ben also wrote the certified Gold This I Believe (The Creed) which, like The First Hymn, is the translation of an ancient text into a modern worship song.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr Beryl D’Souza is the key Indian leader for Dignity Freedom Network (DFN) and she chatted with Clayton about their work in India with those in abject poverty (specific focus on anti-trafficking). Dr Beryl is an Indian national and explained how the work of DFN seeing lives transformed as women and girls discover their value and worth and are set on a path to freedom and hope.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr Peter Goldsworthy chatted to Clayton about his book, The Cancer Finishing School and explains that he uses a heavy dose of gallows humour to come to terms with his new reality of an incurable cancer. He has a fascinating story of looking at cancer from a doctor's perspective and then as the individual involved.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

J. Warner Wallace is a Cold-Case Detective, Author, Speaker, Senior Fellow at the Colson Center for Christian Worldview, and Adjunct Professor of Apologetics at Talbot School of Theology, Gateway Seminary, and Southern Evangelical Seminary. Clayton chatted with Jim about his recently updated book, Cold-Case Christianity, in which he shares his story of being a devout atheist who couldn't imagine believing in the Christian faith-until he applied the same step-by-step investigative process he utilised in his work as a homicide detective to the case for Christianity.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

In 2008, Lutheran pastor Graham Jenke met a group of bikers in a South Australian Hotel. He’s now spent over a decade sharing the gospel as an honorary member of the Redback Motorcycle Club. He shares his story with Clayton.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Clayton’s guest is author of ‘Parenting Ahead: Preparing Now for the Teen Years’. Kristen Hatton has some encouraging words for all parents in that they don’t have to fear the teen years! Tune in to hear about laying the groundwork so that having honest conversations, setting reasonable limits, and exploring issues of the heart becomes a part of the family culture, preparing both you, as the parent and your children for the next stage.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Clayton chats to a man whose name we can’t even use… Working for the International Justice Mission… “Investigator V” spends years building cases against slave traffickers to enable governments around the world to provide true justice to those without a voice… See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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Josh McDowell joins Clayton. He has authored 150 books in 128 languages, his latest is about equipping our kids to make great moral choices for life – Set Free To Choose Right. “Every Christian kid I meet will tell me what is right and what is wrong…but what almost none of them can tell me is, why is it right or why is it wrong.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Clayton welcomed Ittay Flescher into the studio during a recent visit to Melbourne. Ittay is the Education Director at Kids4Peace Jerusalem, an interfaith movement for Israelis and Palestinians, which is a program of Seeds of Peace. He is also the Jerusalem correspondent for Melbourne’s Jewish Independent and co-host of the podcast From the Yarra River to the Mediterranean Sea. For more resources on how those in Australia & NZ can promote peace check out ittay.auSee omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bonnie Hancock completed a gruelling 12,700-kilometre journey around Australia solo in a surf ski, becoming the fastest ever paddler to circumnavigate the continent, the first Australian woman to circumnavigate the continent by paddle, and the youngest person to do so. She chatted with Clayton about how shark & croc encounters and the resilience needed in a team to achieve a feat such as this. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What is it like sitting outside the office of a US President? Peggy Grande, EA to Ronald Reagan, joins Clayton to talk all things politics.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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How would your life change if you died today, but God offered you the chance to come back to earth? Hear Colin Perry’s story. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Strahan Coleman is a writer, poet, and musician living in New Zealand. Through years of chronic illness, Strahan discovered a friendship with God filled with vulnerability, honesty and unceasing prayer, and now spends his time teaching and providing spaces of deep, rich, Spirit-led prayer for others. He joined Clayton to talk about his latest work, Thirsting: Quenching Our Soul’s Deepest Desire.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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In the lead up to Valentine's Day, Clayton had a chat to Dr Gary Chapman, who has recently re-released his book 5 Love Languages, which is famous world-wide both in the church and marketplace. Thanks to Dr Chapman, 'love language' has become a popular catch phrase around the world! Hear Gary share with Clayton about the love-languages and their relevance to marriage, family and workplace relationships.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Anne Hegerty, star of quiz shows The Chase, has a chat with Clayton about living with Asperger’s syndrome and how this influences her Christian faith intellectually rather than emotionally.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Aussie historian John Dickson had a chat to Clayton about his move to America and the influence he expects to have over there with his work as an author, speaker, historian, and media presenter. John specialises in understanding the historical Jesus and history as related to Christianity.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

David Bennett, author of ‘A War on Loves’ shares his story on being a gay activist discovering Jesus. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Julia is a well-known author and journalist and she chatted to Clayton about her newest book - Bright Shining - and what grace looks like in our world, and how we recognise it, nurture it in ourselves and express it, even in the darkest of times. Julia comes from a family that has had a high public profile in Australian life - with a father and brother in NSW politics and herself in news and journalism.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Clayton chats with Jean Paul Samputu, an incredible man who survived the Rwandan genocide and then helped change the country by publicly forgiving the man who killed his father.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Helen Taylor, the Vice President of Impact for Exodus Cry, spoke to Clayton about the international organisation committed to abolishing sex trafficking and commercial sexual exploitation. Exodus Cry fights trafficking in three major ways: shifting culture (mostly through film and media); launching viral advocacy campaigns, such as the global #Traffickinghub movement to hold Pornhub accountable; and reaching out to victims and survivors of sexual exploitation, providing direct assistance and trauma therapy services.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

A quadriplegic since the age of 16 from a diving accident, Joni Erickson Tada has been an inspiration for millions around the world as she shares her struggles and faith in God.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Tania Harris (PhD) is a pastor, practical theologian, author, broadcaster and the Director of God Conversations, a global ministry that equips people to recognise and respond to God's voice. Tania chatted to Clayton about her newest book, God Dreams: How to Hear God's Voice in Dreams and Visions. Tania explains that drawing on her ministry experience, theological research and the Revelation experiences of the early church, she explores the nature of dream-visions, where they come from, and how to interpret their symbolic and sometimes confusing language. Her aim of the book is for readers to learn how to hear God's voice more clearly and that a picture truly can tell a thousand words.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Clayton chatted with Brian “Head” Welch, from Heavy Metal rock band Korn. He shares his story of being addicted to a host of drugs, to a changed life through meeting Jesus.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Peter set up the charity, Make Me Mobile, to fund wheelchair accessible vehicles for low-income NDIS clients that cannot otherwise afford them. The NDIS fund the vehicle modification, but they won't help the families with the vehicle costs which often means that the client that needs a vehicle modification to suit their needs does not get one. Only well-off people get the transport they need. The government can't do everything so Peter and his team are trying to find other ways to fund these vehicles.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

With changes to raising the age of social media access to 16 years, Clayton had a chat with MP David Coleman, who is spearheading the push. David explained how media can have a negative effect on young people's mental health and gave suggestions of how listeners can get involved to support the push.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Clayton chats with Li Cunxin, The real-life star of the Hollywood film, now living in Melbourne shares his incredible story of Chinese Peasant boy to international super star.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The producer of 'Elf' and writer of 'Sully, Todd Komarnicki is the Director of the movie 'Bonhoeffer' being released in Australia and New Zealand cinemas, which is the true story of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, a pacifist pastor determined to live his life with uncompromising political and spiritual courage while choosing to live in Berlin during the Third Reich. Todd chats to Clayton about his work on the film, the role faith played in making it and the remarkable story of how the lead actor came to be the lead actor!  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jeremiah Beck is our US Political Correspondent and joins Clayton for a third week, this time to reflect on the results of the US Presidential election.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

If you're a fan of the Australian version of The Voice, you would know Bella Taylor Smith as the 2021 winner. Bella is an Australian Christian singer-songwriter celebrated for her soulful voice, emotional depth, and powerful storytelling. After winning The Voice Australia Bella released her ARIA-nominated pop EP Look Me in the Eyes and spent the next two years touring with renowned artists like Pentatonix, Jeremy Camp, and Riley Clemmons. Bella chatted to Clayton from her studio in the USA, where is currently residing while she builds her music career (her debut Christian single is THANKYOU 1000X). She shared with Clayton that her biggest passion is worshipping God through music.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jeremiah Beck is our US Political Correspondent and joined Clayton for a second week in the lead up to the US Presidential election. In this episode he speaks about the impact of Christian faith in the election and the possible reaction of the American people depending on who is voted in.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Clayton was privileged to chat to Abuna (Father) Elias Chacour who is the Archbishop em. of Galilee. Living in Israel, Father Elias was able to give Clayton an update on the current situation in the area and the feelings of the people living through the unrest due to the ongoing conflict. As an Arab-Palestinian-Christian born in Israeli territory he has a unique insight.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jeremiah Beck is our US Political Correspondent and is joining Clayton each week in the lead up to the US Presidential election. In this episode he provides an update on the incredibly unique last few months and chats about the impact on the US election for those of us down under.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Clayton caught up with Svcrina (Sur-See-Nah) while she was in Australia for the Christian Media and Arts Australia Connect Conference. After loving her time in Australia supporting some of Jeremy Camp's concerts in 2023, she wanted to come back! At only 27 years of age, she is a two-time People's Choice nominee and one of pop music's fastest rising stars, who has penned over 700 songs (including for TV & Movies). Svcrina's goal is to create music that not only she connects with personally and spiritually, but is culturally transcendent.  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Neurosurgeon Dr David Levy shares his journey of faith with his medical professionalism. Hear David talk about the nervousness of offering to pray for each patient before he operates on them and the remarkable results.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lisa McInnes-Smith, a world-renowned speaker who specialises in the psychology of mastering our emotions and actions, chatted to Clay about how we best live our lives in an ever-changing technological world and how God's role is vital in our lives.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Bruce Park spoke rawly to Clayton about losing his son, Nathan, due to an accident at work 20 years ago. Bruce explained to Clayton how he wrote The Birthday Card to show how he overcame his pain for the sake of his family and with the help of God.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Iona Rosseley was a champion Speed Skier who almost died in a horrific accident. She explains to Clayton how she then rose to the tip of another sport – Equestrian riding – before discovering the real purpose of her life.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Daniel Hagen from Awakening Australia shares his story of becoming truly awake to the purpose of his life.“I remember one point, when I'm sitting in this penthouse with these gangsters with guns, and I remember just thinking, this is crazy, how did I get to this place?”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Clayton had a chat with Jana Harmon who has spoken to many former atheists. In a culture of growing scepticism towards Christianity, we often wonder, ‘What would it take for a sceptic to become a Christian? ' and Jana, through her many conversations, discusses the journey of many from atheism to faith.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andrew Tierney has been performing in Human Nature for over 30 years. Tim Dunfield is a Canadian worship pastor. They talk about their collaboration, Finding Faith. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Lynda Wake joined Clayton in the studio and shared the inspiration behind her book 'Waiting Well with Jesus', which includes insights from her own grief journey to help readers through their own time of sorrow. Lynda shared deeply how 'Waiting Well With Jesus' is the devotional journal resource she wished she had in her deepest grief following the passing of her daughter, Bethany, just before her 16th birthday after a yearlong battle with brain cancer. When Lynda realised that she may need to wait for decades before being reunited with her daughter, the grief nearly paralysed her. For more information about Lynda and her daughter Bethany's legacy visit: be-blessings.com. To purchase Lynda's new 52-week devotional journal Waiting Well With Jesus - strength for the journey through heartbreak to hope, please visit your local Christian bookstore. Both the hard copy and the Kindle version are available through Amazon. A portion of all profits will be donated to Bethany's legacy with CBM Australia. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gambling Addiction SpecialThis week, Clayton hosts another special edition of Towards Understanding, where he chats to three guests with different experiences of gambling addiction.His third guest is former Melbourne Footy Club Champion, David Schwarz. David shared about seeing his Dad be killed in front of him as a youngster, the impact that had on his life and how he started gambling at the age of 15. David also shared about the incredible impact his wife Karen has had in the turnaround in his life.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Gambling Addiction SpecialThis week, Clayton hosts another special edition of Towards Understanding, where he chats to three guests with different experiences of gambling addiction.His second guest is Joe from New Zealand. Gambling wasn't his main addiction, but it became problematic alongside his other addictions and he chats to Clayton about how God has worked in his life to free him from his addictions.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This week, Clayton hosts another special edition of Towards Understanding, where he chats to three guests with different experiences of gambling addiction.His first guest is Rev Tim Costello, who is the Chief Advocate for the Australian Alliance for Gambling Reform, which is the only national peak body working to reduce gambling harm.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr Andrew Thomas is a pioneering Australian astronaut, having over 177 days in space.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.