Towards Understanding

Katherine Kirkwood - Stable One CEO Katherine Kirwood is the CEO of Stable One. Hear how this creative concept might just be a key to helping solve homelessness and connecting Churches together like never before. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Nicky Gumbel – Alpha Program Nicky Gumbel chatted with Clayton about everything to do with the Alpha program (the program that allows you to ask those ‘big’ questions about life). Nicky talked about the amount of countries and languages that the Alpha program is in, the strangest place that the Alpha program has run (doubt you will guess it!) and why Bear Grylls is involved in the Alpha program.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Helen Thorne–Allenson - Purity in a Porn–Saturated Culture Helen Thorne-Allenson is the Director of Training and Resources at Biblical Counselling UK. She is an experienced speaker and writer whose recent books include Mental Health and Your Church, Hope in an Anxious World and 5 Things to Pray for a Suffering Friend. Clayton and Helen talked about Helen's new book ‘Purity in a Porn-Saturated Culture’, specifically having conversations around young females’ usage of porn. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Andrew Marin - Bridging the Social Divide Andrew, author of Love is an Orientation, is advocates bridge building opposing world views, from the LGBTI community to the Middle East conflicts “Building a bridge is about bringing opposing world views together to figure out what it means to facilitate a new medium of engagement.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Michael Emmett - Author of Sins of the Father Michael Emmett found his name in the headlines when he was caught for a drug bust in 1993. It was one of the UK's biggest at the time. While in prison, with his father in the same cell, he happened to find God, hope and, with those, a new lease of life. A transformed and loving family man, Michael is sowing seeds of hope and charity around the world. He hopes sharing his story of desperation will encourage others to step into the light and a journey of health. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What’s it like being chaplain to the most famous sporting club in the world, Manchester United? John Boyers chats to Clayton about this. “David Beckham, Paul Scholes, Nicky Butt, I knew them when they were nobody’s.”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Todd tells the story of his son who was in emergency surgery at four years of age and travelled to heaven! Listen as Todd shares about his scepticism at first and tells us some of the stories that his son Colton revealed from his trip (meeting family members who past long before he was born and even a sister he had never been told about who was lost in the womb!)."See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Inspired by her daughter, Marleigh, Kate is the host and producer of The Milkshakes for Marleigh Podcast where she tells the survival stories of blood product recipients. This is her creative solution to the social problem that not enough people donate blood. Marleigh became unwell at the age of three and was eventually diagnosed with Seronegative Paediatric Autoimmune Encephalitis, which is a life-threatening condition with no cure.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Damien May from Destiny RescueClayton chatted with Damien May from Destiny Rescue… he literally saves children, who have been sold into slavery around our world. Hear his story of dramatic adventure and how his faith drives him!See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Dr Andrew Browning is an Australian trained obstetrician who has spent his entire professional career volunteering in Africa as a medical missionary specialising in obstetric fistula surgery. Andrew is now the Medical Director for the Barbara May Foundation and joined Clayton to talk about his book, A Doctor in Africa. Andrew shares with Clayton, the obstacles he has overcome working in remote, harsh and vastly under-resourced regions, and has compelling stories of the women whose lives he has transformed forever through fistula surgery and access to free maternal healthcare.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Clayton chatted with Michael Franzese, former mob boss for the Colombo crime family in New York, before an encounter with Jesus changed his life. “I don’t know of anybody that reached the level that I reached in that life, and publicly walked away…”See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The 2024 Dove-award winning film “Unsung Hero” depicted the early years of Rebecca St James family life and music career. Lasting Ever brings fans up to date on Rebecca’s current life and introduces readers to her husband Cubbie Fink’s personal story. Now in their second decade of marriage, the couple join Clayton to unpack the highs and lows of their shared and individual journeys.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ian McCormack Ian was night diving off the island of Mauritius when he was stung by 5 Box Jellyfish, which are among the most venomous creatures in the world. Ian shares with Clayton how he made it to the hospital but then died. He came back to life more than 15 minutes later and had a dramatic encounter with both Hell and Heaven and an encounter with God that transformed his life forever. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

You might recognise Jodi as the relationship specialist on the Emmy award winning TV show Love on the Spectrum (featured on ABC & Netflix). She has 30 years working within the education, disability and sexuality fields. Jodi has recently published a book internationally sharing stories from her experience working with the autistic community, called Unique - What Autism Can Teach Us about Difference, Connection and Belonging. Jodi share practical insight into how to interact with those in the neurodiverse community.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Jeffrey spoke to Clayton about his life, writing style, tips for budding authors and where he always writes the first draft of a book. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Valerie Browning AM is an Australian nurse and Ethiopiaid's long-time project partner, She shares her extraordinary life in her gripping biography, "Maalika: My Life among the Afar Nomads of Africa". After volunteering to help the victims of Ethiopia's famine in 1973, little did she know that her life - and the lives of countless people in Afar - were about to change forever. She co-founded the Afar Pastoralist Development Association (APDA) and has dedicated her life for the human rights of people in one of the most remote and isolated regions of Ethiopia.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

One of the world’s top scientist, James M. Tour is a synthetic organic chemist at Rice University. Professor Tour has over 800 research publications and joined Clayton. Dr Tour explained to Clayton how he challenged ten of the world’s leading origin of life researchers to produce evidence for their theories – and all failed to produce any. He shares his journey to faith and how science and faith work together - not opposed to each other.See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

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.