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PODCAST · religion

Alison and the whale

by Alison Sampson

The more things change, the more we need ancient texts which comfort, challenge and critique a world falling apart. Discover how old stories speak into modern lives, politics and culture, and how there's room in this faith for everyone. Read more at sanctuarybaptist.wordpress.com.

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Episodes

  1. Matthew | Death and taxes

    Taxes might not be anyone’s favourite subject, but Jesus’ words invite us to think about more than what we owe. What does it mean to give to God what is God's? A reflection on Matthew 22:15-22 shared with Manningham Uniting Church, 18 October 2026 (Proper 24 Year A).

  2. Philippians | Joy in the rain

    Happiness is fleeting and contextual. But even in the depths of anguish, we can know joy. A reflection on Philippians 4:1-9 shared with Manningham Uniting Church, 11 October 2026 (Proper 23 Year A).

  3. Exodus | Ten commandments? No, ten signs of life

    The Ten Commandments aren't rules. Instead they simply indicate who we truly worship. A reflection on Exodus 20:1-20 shared shared with Manningham Uniting Church, 4 October 2026 (Proper 22 Year A).

  4. Exodus | What we need is here

    If we expect heaven's gifts to drop out of the sky like a brightly packaged bag of TipTop fortified sliced white, we will be perpetually hungry and disappointed. So, how do heaven's gifts show up? With a nod to Wendell Berry, RIP. Reflecting on Exodus 16 with Manningham Uniting Church, 20…

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  5. Matthew | Saint Dolly & the art of forgiveness

    Why not love, forgive and flourish like Dolly: joyfully, unashamedly, wholeheartedly? A reflection on Matthew 18:21-35 shared with Manningham Uniting Church, 13 September 2026 (Proper 19 Year A).

  6. Exodus | The god of freedom

    The God of freedom calls us to shape the future through our collective choices. A reflection on Exodus 3:1-15 shared with Manningham Uniting Church, 6 September 2026 (Proper 17 Year A, one week out).

  7. Matthew | Some keys to the kingdom

    Again and again I hear people say that Jesus never intended the church. And if the church looks like every other kingdom, then this is certainly true. But Jesus certainly came to establish a sign and cipher of the kingdom of heaven, built on the rocky foundation of wobbly disciples who struggle…

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  8. Matthew | Rethinking Joshua

    In his encounter with the Canaanite woman, Jesus rethinks Joshua’s policy of no mercy. Revisiting a piece from 2023, in light of the rejection of the Voice to Parliament. A reflection on Matthew 15:10-28 shared with Manningham Uniting Church, 16 August 2026 (Proper 15 Year A).

  9. Genesis | Joseph and the amazing technicolour princess dress

    A rainbow reading, and other stories. A reflection on Genesis 37:1-4, 12-28 shared with Manningham Uniting Church, 9 August 2026 (Proper 14 Year A)

  10. Genesis | The hidden gifts of struggle

    Through struggle, we are transformed. A reflection on Genesis 32:22-31 shared with Manningham Uniting Church, 2 August 2026 (Proper 13 Year A).

  11. Genesis | Daddy's angel, mummy's devil

    Notes on sibling rivalry. A reflection on Genesis 29:15-30, shared with Manningham Uniting Church, 26 July 2026 (Proper 12 Year A).

  12. Genesis | Deep in the weeds with Jacob

    On weeds, seeds, scoundrels, and descendants like dandelions. Reflecting on Genesis 28:10-22 and Matthew 13:24-43 with Manningham Uniting Church, 19 July 2026 (Proper 11 Year A).

  13. Genesis | The joint inheritance

    Could a common story interrupt thirty centuries of violence? Reflecting on Genesis 12:1-9 with Manningham Uniting Church, 7 June 2026 (Pentecost 2 Year A).

  14. Matthew | But they doubted

    It seems doubt is part and parcel with faith: and this should be deeply encouraging. Reflecting on Matthew 28:16-20 with Manningham Uniting Church, 31 May 2026 (Trinity Year A).

  15. Acts | Just look around!

    (From the archives) If you want to see Jesus, don’t stand there peering into heaven! Reflecting on Acts 1:6-14 with Manningham Uniting Church, 17 May 2026 (Ascension).

  16. John | Her mother's voice

    A promise to all who have been judged and found wanting. Reflecting on John 14:15-21 with Manningham Uniting Church, 10 May 2026 (Easter 6 Year A; Mother's Day).

  17. 1,2 Peter | A holy nation?

    A people grounded in Christ will not be violent, but gentle, humble and hospitable. Reflecting on 1 Peter 2:1-10 with Manningham Uniting Church, 3 May 2026 (Easter 5 Year A).

  18. John | Knowing his voice

    The hallmarks of the voice which is good. Reflecting on John 10:1-10 with Manningham Uniting Church, 26 April 2026 (Easter 4 Year A).

  19. Luke | But we had hoped ...

    In the shadow of empire and its death-dealing gods, the Risen One comes quiet and unobtrusive. Reflecting on Luke 24:14-35 with Manningham Uniting Church, 19 April 2026 (Easter 2 Year A).

  20. Palm Sunday | The two parades

    (From the archives) The medium is the message, and our guy is the clown. Reflecting on Matthew 17:1-11 with Manningham Uniting Church, 29 March 2026 (Palm Sunday, Year A).

  21. Ezekiel | Preach to the bones

    In the places of death, speak words of life. Reflecting on Ezekiel 37:1-14 with Manningham Uniting Church, 22 March 2026 (Lent 5 Year A).

  22. John | Transformation: The heart of our faith

    (From the archives) To encounter Jesus is to invite change. Reflecting on John 9:1-41 with Manningham Uniting Church, 15 March 2026 (Lent 4 Year A).

  23. John | Boy meets girl at well: Two readings

    In which Jesus hooks up, and heals some ancient wounds. Reflecting on John 4:5-42 with Manningham Uniting Church, 8 March 2026 (Lent 3 Year A).

  24. John | Living into eternity

    Transcending our secular age. Reflecting on John 3:1-17 with Manningham Uniting Church, 1 March 2026 (Lent 2 Year A).

  25. Matthew | Baptised & beloved

    In which a Baptist pastor affirms infant baptism. Reflecting on Matthew 3:16-4:11 with Manningham Uniting Church on 22 February 2026 (Lent 1 Year A, reading extended backwards two verses).

  26. Matthew | Trans/figuration

    Transfiguration, crucifixion, and a trans man alive in Christ. Reflecting on Matthew 17:1-9 (Transfiguration Year A) with Manningham Uniting Church, 15 February 2026.

  27. Isaiah | To be like Birrarung or, To serve and thrive

    In a media landscape that threatens to overwhelm, Isaiah offers a way of hope. Reflecting on Isaiah 58 with Manningham Uniting Church, 8 February 2026 (Epiphany 5 Year A).

  28. Aboriginal Sunday | Bunjil & the order of Melchizedek

    (Refreshed from the archives.) Includes a naming of some aspects of colonisation; if you're not up for it, skip this one! Reflecting on Genesis 14 with Manningham Uniting Church on Aboriginal Sunday, 25 January 2026.

  29. Christmas | Filling earth with the culture of heaven

    The incarnation offers an earthy faith which embraces bodies and mess. Reflecting at Christmas with Manningham Uniting Church, 25 December 2025.

  30. Matthew | Love in the shadows

    (From the archives.) God demands Joseph wake up to a deeper reality, where love takes priority over obedience to God’s law and scandal forms the womb of grace. Reflecting on Matthew 1:18-25 with Manningham Uniting Church, 21 December 2025 (Advent 4 Year A).

  31. Matthew | Expectation management

    What sort of Messiah are we waiting for? Reflecting on Matthew 11:2-11 with Manningham Uniting Church, 14 December 2025 (Advent 3 Year A).

  32. Matthew | Holy fire

    Authentic faith means change. Reflecting on Matthew 3:1-12 with Manningham Uniting Church, 7 December 2025 (Advent 2 Year A).

  33. Matthew | Left behind with Jesus

    A mix up of metaphors on sleeping and waking, taking and leaving, and hoping in the dark. Reflecting on Matthew 24:36-44 with Manningham Uniting Church, 30 November 2025 (Advent 1 Year A).

  34. Colossians | The visible image of God

    Christ is the one true logo for our lives. Reflecting on Colossians 1:11-20 with Manningham Uniting Church, 23 November 2025 (Proper 29 Year C).

  35. Isaiah | A vision for the City of Manningham

    Isaiah's city of joy is a vision which can transform this world, now. Reflecting on Isaiah 65:17-25 with Manningham Uniting Church, 16 November 2025 (Proper 28 Year C).

  36. Luke | Resurrection now!

    Resurrection life starts today! Reflecting on Luke 20:27-38 with Manningham Uniting Church, 9 November 2025 (Proper 27 Year C).

  37. Psalms | Even the hard pathways overflow with abundance

    A meditation on rivers and soil and economies of gift and abundance. Reflecting on Psalm 65 with Manningham Uniting Church, 26 October 2025 (Proper 25 Year C).

  38. Luke | George & Ruby & the long arc of history

    It takes prayer and persistence to bring about justice. Reflecting on Luke 18:1-8 with Manningham Uniting Church, 19 October 2025 (Proper 24 Year C).

  39. Jeremiah | Planting with the prophet Jeremiah

    In the face of climate catastrophe, seek the welfare of your place. One from the archives, revisited. Reflecting on Jeremiah 29:4-11 with Manningham Uniting Church, 12 October 2025 (Proper 23 Year C, extended reading).

  40. Luke | Increase our faith!

    How much faith is enough? Reflecting on Luke 17:5-10 and Lamentations 3:22-23 with Manningham Uniting Church, 5 October 2025 (Proper 22 Year C).

  41. Luke | Mind the gap!

    On fancy backpacks, fine merino briefs and the responsibilities of the global rich. Reflecting on Luke 16:19-31 with Manningham Uniting Church, 28 September 2025 (Proper 21 Year C).

  42. Romans | Ruth & the body of Christ

    On flea bombs, sick kids, old wardrobes, the grim reaper – and resurrection life! Shared with Box Hill Baptist Church on 21 September 2025.

  43. Luke | Three invitations into joy

    Sometimes, it takes a while to say yes. Reflecting on Luke 15 with Manningham Uniting Church, 14 September 2025 (Proper 19/Pentecost 14, Year C).

  44. Psalms | My grandparents' breakfast table and other stories

    Discipleship knows no age limits. Reflecting on Psalm 1 with Manningham Uniting Church, 7 September 2025 (Proper 18/Pentecost 13, Year C).

  45. Luke | A rollicking romance, revisited

    How faith nearly tore my family apart, then brought it together again. Reflecting on Luke 12:49-56 with Manningham Uniting Church on 17 August 2025 (Proper 15/Pentecost 10, Year C).

  46. Hosea & the cycle of violence

    Not every image of God is faithful to the way of Jesus. Reflecting on Hosea 11:1-11 with Coburg Uniting church on 3 August 2025 (Proper 13 Year C).

  47. Matthew | Love like salt

    On exile, law, salt and love. Reflecting on Matthew 5:13-20 with Westgate Baptist Community Church, 27 July 2025 (off lectionary, the reading is usually assigned to Epiphany 5 Year A).

  48. Luke | Mary and Martha, united

    A religious scholar, a wounded traveller, a Samaritan and two sisters walk into a kitchen ... Reflecting on Luke 10:38-42 with the Community of St Mark, Clifton Hill, on 20 July 2025 (Proper 11 Year C).

  49. John | The breath

    The breath-wind-spirit of God is an invitation to deep communion. Reflecting on the Holy Spirit with Rosanna Baptist church on 13 July 2025 (multiple texts, off lectionary).

  50. Kings | Elijah in the age of kings

    In a world of authoritarian leaders, Elijah's story should give us backbone. Reflecting on 1 Kings 19:1-18 with Auburn Life, 22 April 2025 (Proper 7 Year C).

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ABOUT THIS SHOW

The more things change, the more we need ancient texts which comfort, challenge and critique a world falling apart. Discover how old stories speak into modern lives, politics and culture, and how there's room in this faith for everyone. Read more at sanctuarybaptist.wordpress.com.

HOSTED BY

Alison Sampson

CATEGORIES

religion spirituality

Frequently Asked Questions

How many episodes does Alison and the whale have?

Alison and the whale currently has 100 episodes available on PodParley. New episodes are automatically indexed when they're published to the podcast feed.

What is Alison and the whale about?

The more things change, the more we need ancient texts which comfort, challenge and critique a world falling apart. Discover how old stories speak into modern lives, politics and culture, and how there's room in this faith for everyone. Read more at sanctuarybaptist.wordpress.com.

How often does Alison and the whale release new episodes?

Alison and the whale has 100 episodes. Check the episode list to see recent publication dates and frequency.

Where can I listen to Alison and the whale?

You can listen to Alison and the whale on PodParley by clicking any episode. We provide an embedded audio player for direct listening, and you can also subscribe via your preferred podcast app using the RSS feed.

Who hosts Alison and the whale?

Alison and the whale is created and hosted by Alison Sampson.
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