UNDISTRACTED with Laura Bennett

Our guest today is author and former Hope 103.2 journalist Clare Bruce. In memoir ' Sinner, Saint, Servant' , Clare tells the story of Troy White. A onetime policeman, pastor and military chaplain who struggled with PSTD, anxiety and depression, and a growing alcohol addiction his admirers had little awareness of. Clare talks about how to have faith in tandem with struggle, the pressure on ministry leaders, and goes into the world of a writer going from idea to execution and the delicacy of handling someone else’s life story. Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au . And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app , Facebook or Instagram . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

After the #MeToo movement emboldened victims to speak up about gendered violence, survivors found themselves silenced by defamation laws being used to stop them sharing their experiences. In Silenced , International human rights lawyer and co-author of How Many More Women? Jennifer Robinson shows us how the legal system is used to discredit and financially ruin survivors and journalists reporting on their stories. Jennifer draws on her experience representing Hollywood actress Amber Heard in one of the most high-profile defamation battles in recent history, showing the personal cost of these cases on women like Amber, and locally, former Australian political staffer Brittany Higgins among many guests. Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au . And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app , Facebook or Instagram . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our guest today is Embrace Grace founder Amy Ford. In her teens Amy fell pregnant unexpectedly and, as happens for many young women in the church, was met with judgement, shame and rejection. Her goal since, has been to equip churches to support women in choosing life at such a crucial time in their lives, and see the church as the first place women turn to and not run from. Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au . And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app , Facebook or Instagram . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Do you ever feel stuck? You’re a Christian who loves Jesus, you believe God has a good plan for your life, and yet you feel like something has stalled. Today we’re welcoming back minister and host and author of the Heal with God podcast and book Heather O’Brien. After years of struggling with depression and leaning into Scripture and prayer, Heather began hearing God’s voice and developing step-by-step tools to help Christians become unstuck – dealing with fear, procrastination, anger, a number of symptoms – that hold us back from living well. Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au . And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app , Facebook or Instagram . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our guest today is a photojournalist with Compassion International. For more than 20 years, Edwin Estioko has documented children and families living through poverty, disaster and recovery in the Philippines - one of the most disaster-prone countries in the world. His work takes him into communities after typhoons, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions and other crises, often after the initial headlines have moved on. Edwin recently returned from Mindanao, documenting the aftermath of a 7.8 magnitude earthquake that devastated communities across the southern islands of the Philippines. Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au . And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app , Facebook or Instagram . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

This episode relates to end-of-life care. In his memoir ‘As She Chose’, guest Oliver Christen tells the story of his 86-year-old mum and her choice to, in his words, “consciously end a life well lived”. He explores end of life choices through his journey as a son supporting his dying mum. Who, when she can no longer live independently, choices an alternative to a prolonged decline of medications, hospital routines, and lost agency. If the themes of this episode could cause you distress, help is available via Beyond Blue on 1300 22 4636 or Lifeline 13 11 14. Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au . And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app , Facebook or Instagram . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As July starts, so too does a commitment by many to embrace Dry July. In today’s episode we’re dipping into the archives for a chat with sobriety advocate and wellness coach Justine Santowiak. In 2012 she almost lost her life when her alcohol addiction became too much, entering rehab and forever cutting ties with the substance the controlled her. Justine found a way forward and wants the same for fellow addicts. Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au . And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app , Facebook or Instagram . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

How do you become, and have, a quality friend? Why are adult friendships exhausting sometimes, and could we be better off talking to A.I.? Our guest today is Sheridan Voysey. Author, broadcaster and founder of Friendship Lab, a platform empowering people with the resources they need to make friendships thrive and invest in one of our most neglected relationships. Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au . And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app , Facebook or Instagram . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our guest today is former Standford lecturer, author and entrepreneur Nir Eyal. His latest book, 'Beyond Belief', looks at the science behind motivation and achievement, how prayer and ritual effect belief and when quitting is the best option. Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au . And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app , Facebook or Instagram . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our guest today is adoptive mum and founder of Forever Projects Anna Dombkins. Together with her husband Mark, Anna moved to Tanzania and adopted three babies in need of urgent care. Anna’s book 'Home Forever' tells the story of why they left Australia to grow their family, the reality of having six kids now and why she wants adoption to happen less. Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au . And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app , Facebook or Instagram . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today, we’re jumping into end time theology about the return of Christ and getting a dose of Bible school with Christian author, speaker and founder of Messenger International, John Bevere. John admits to avoiding the potentially controversial subject for 40 years, but his new book ' The King is Coming' covers what he thinks is a pressing need for people to prepare for the return of Christ and understand their role leading up to it. Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au . And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app , Facebook or Instagram . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

CEO of Hope Economy - formerly CAP Money - Rosie Kendall explores the connection between our money and our identity, and how our spending can be better aligned with our values. Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au . And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app , Facebook or Instagram . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our guest today is Bible teacher and 'New York Times' bestselling author Jennie Allen. She's with us to help uncover 'The Lies We Don't Know We Believe' and what truth to replace them with. Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au . And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app , Facebook or Instagram . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our guest today isn’t an academic, he’s not a public figure, he’s a Sydney truckie and former Navy-man whose lived experience of professional collapse, personal trauma and discovery of Christian faith inspired him to write ‘ Mistakes a Like Fertiliser ’, a journey into some of history’s biggest mishaps, and how mistakes can grow us not break us. Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au . And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app , Facebook or Instagram . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Today we’re going back into the archives to a chat I had with John Mark Comer about 'The Ruthless Elimination of Hurry'. Released in early 2020 the book pre-empted what became a time of serious reflection about what we filled our days with and how rushed modern life had become. 6 years on the “hurry sickness” John spoke about I would say is even more prevalent, combined with an anxious desire to build security in an uncertain world. John’s ideas – expanded on in his last book 'Practicing the Way' – are grounded in his Christian faith and help us “come to quiet” he says and find the peace we need. Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au . And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app , Facebook or Instagram . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our guest today is filmmaker Andrew Erwin. Together with his brother Jon, Andrew has been a part of some of the biggest faith films of the last decade including 'Jesus Revolution', 'I Still Believe' and 'Ordinary Angels'. His latest project, 'I Can Only Imagine 2', is the sequel to the 2018 hit that follows the true story of Christian band MercyMe and the family trauma singer Bart Millard faced alongside their career success. In this conversation, Andrew explains why 'Gilmore Girls' alumni Milo Ventimiglia had to be part of the film, the failures of Christian filming and why the cast want to go to space. Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au . And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app , Facebook or Instagram . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Author of 'Why Are All My Boyfriends Fictional', Jessica Kate joins Laura to talk about bad flirting, red flags in Christian dating and how - whether for a season or for life - you can find joy in singleness. Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au . And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app , Facebook or Instagram . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our guest today is Australian actor George Xanthis, who plays John on 'The Chosen', the global hit series about the life of Jesus and his disciples. The next season is one the biggest as they face the crucifixion of Christ and in this episode, George not only talks about that, but about how a local Sydney boy got this gig, pressure to be a religious icon and how his spirituality has evolved during filming. Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au . And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app , Facebook or Instagram . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our guest today, Sita Walker is a high school literature teacher and award-winning writer, whose 20 years’ experience in education frame her debut novel 'In a Common Hour' - The story of a single lunch time that unravels a school community. It prompts discussion about masculinity, truth and difference, and how we shape the world with our words. Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au . And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app , Facebook or Instagram . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Have you ever woken form a dream and wondered if it meant anything? Was it just your brain processing life, or was God speaking to you? And if He was, what was He trying to say through what you saw? Paige Collins is usually a publicist and filmmaker, but she’s added author to the list with Awaken, a dream journal that explores scriptural dream symbolism, how dreams affect our waking hours, the ones that have defined her career and why God would talk to us while we sleep. Listen to more from our Hope Podcasts collection at hopepodcasts.com.au . And send the team a message via Hope 103.2’s app , Facebook or Instagram . See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.